Fountain of Youth Day at Gulfstream Park will feature nine graded stakes. (Photo credit: Gulfstream Park).
The $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) will headline the March 5 program at Gulfstream Park, providing 3-year-old prospects a steppingstone to the April 2 $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) and the 2022 Triple Crown. The 76th running of the tradition-rich stakes will also be featured in a mega promotion between sister tracks Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park, which will play host to a combined 15 graded stakes worth $4.15 million that day.
Gulfstream will offer nine graded stakes worth $1.7 million in purses, while Santa Anita’s card will be graced by six graded-stakes worth $2.45 million. A Coast to Coast All Turf Stakes Pick 5 and a Coast to Coast All Dirt Stakes Pick 5, each with legs run at Gulfstream and Santa Anita, will be among the highlights of the promotion. A free contest will offer a $5 million jackpot for an entry or entries with all 15 graded/stakes winners.
In addition to the Fountain Youth, the $200,000 Davona Dale (G2), a mile race for 3-year-old fillies; $200,000 WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile (G2), a mile stakes for 4-year-olds and up; $200,000 Mac Diarmida (G2), a 1 3/8-mile turf stakes for older horses; $150,000 Canadian Turf (G3), a mile race for 4-year-olds and up; $150,000 Honey Fox (G3), a mile turf stakes for older fillies and mares; $150,000 The Very One (G3), a 1 3/8-mile turf test for older fillies and mares; $125,000 Herecomesthebride (G3), a mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies; and the $125,000 Palm Beach (G3), a mile turf stakes for 3-year-olds; will be featured on Gulfstream’s March 5 card.
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Nominations for all nine of Gulfstream’s graded stakes will close on Sunday.
Santa Anita’s March 5 program will offer the $650,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), a 1 ¼-mile handicap for older horses, $500,000 Beholder (G1), a mile stakes for older fillies and mares; $500,000 Frank E. Kilroe (G1), a mile turf race for older horses; $400,000 San Felipe (G2), a 1 1/16-mile event for 3-year-olds; $200,000 San Carlos (G2), a seven-furlong sprint for older horses; and $200,000 Buena Vista (G2), a mile race for older fillies and mares.
Simplification Works for Fountain of Youth
Tami Bobo’s Simplification, a courageous runner-up in the Feb. 5 Holy Bull (G3), breezed five furlongs in 58.62 seconds Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a scheduled start in the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) March 5.
The Antonio Sano-trained colt was timed in 58.62 seconds, the fastest clocking of 42 workouts recorded at the distance Saturday.
“He worked very good with the exercise rider,” Sano said. “He galloped out in 1:12. He was very relaxed.”
Simplification, who captured the Jan. 1 Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream by four lengths in front-running style, got away last in the Holy Bull after tossing his head in the gate. The son of Not This Time made steady progress while racing wide in the 1 1/16-mile Curlin Florida Derby (G1) prep to finish second behind dominating winner White Abarrio while holding off the late surge of favored Mo Donegal.
“He’s gone to the gate two times, last Wednesday and this Wednesday. The horse was very quiet. He has more experience. He’s a more seasoned horse,” said Sano, who saddled Gunnevera for a victory in the 2017 Fountain of Youth following a second-place finish in the Holy Bull.
Sano-trained Don’t Get Khozy, the ultra-consistent mare with nearly $400,000 in earnings, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.69 Saturday in preparation for a scheduled start in next Saturday’s $150,000 Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream.
Other notable 3-year-old workers: Kenny McPeek-trained Rattle N Roll (59.65, 5f) and Tiz the Bomb (47.65, 4f); and Dale Romans-trained Howling Time (46.65, 4f) and Giant Game (48.63, 4f).
