Whose Moment at Gulfstream Park in Fountain of Youth?

Dennis’ Moment is the 2-1 morning line favorite for Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park. (Photo credit: Gulfstream Park).

A dozen three-year-olds line up Saturday in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park with Dennis’ Moment the 2-1 morning line favorite.

The Dale Romans trainee was the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) last fall after his win in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, but he was a disappointing eighth at 4-5 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in his last outing.

The colt currently stands at 12-1 in early Kentucky Derby betting at USRacing, trailing three promising colts—Nadal (8-1), Tiz the Law (10-1) and Authentic (10-1).

He could regain the top spot, but is it going to be his moment on Saturday? And is a short price worth taking?

Romans remains confident in this colt. “With this horse, there’s so much hype with him – well deserved, he’s very talented. I put the pressure on myself because of what I think of him. I think he’s ready to roll.” Romans said.

There is a chance one of his main rivals may skip the race. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was not happy with the 12 post with Chance It, winner of the Mucho Macho Man. He is considering scratching the colt to wait for the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

Despite being with more accomplished company, I am going to take a long look at the Chad Brown trained Country Grammer (15-1), who was a good looking maiden winner in his second career start. The effort was at nine furlongs and his first trip on dirt.

The Fountain of Youth is Road to the Kentucky Derby points race with 50-20-10-5 points up for grabs. The race will be televised on FS2.

Let’s head out to Gulfstream Park for Saturday’s featured race of the day:

Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park Race 14 The Fountain of Youth (G2) Post time 6:04 ET

7 Country Grammer 15-1

5 Dennis’ Moment 2-1

11 Ete Indien 8-1

10 Shotski 10-1

Country Grammer

The Chad Brown trainee returns off a 3 ½ month break and faces winners for the first time here. The colt was fourth in his debut going a mile on turf and then was a smart looking maiden winner on the main track at Aqueduct going nine furlongs in his second career outing. The colt prompted the early pace, took over the lead heading for home and drew clear to win by 3 ¼ lengths. Three he beat in that outing came back to graduate next out. The runner up was Portos came back to graduate in his next start on Dec. 31 by 10 ¾ lengths and then ran third in the Withers (G3). The colt has been working sharply in the mornings at Payson for his return for a barn that is 27% winners with runners coming back off a 61-180-day layoff. The colt was a $450,000 Ocala purchase, by Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tonalist out of a Forestry mare that has dropped two other winners. Castellano takes the call and this guy should end up a generous price.

Dennis’ Moment

The morning line favorite makes his first start since his disappointing eighth place finish at 4-5 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and I drank the Kool aid making him my top pick in that race. His maiden score by 19 ¼ lengths was impressive as his win in the Iroquois (G3) win at Churchill Downs in his first start against winners. He has been working quickly in the mornings for the Romans barn that is 7% winners with runners coming back off a 61-180-day layoff. The $400,000 purchase is by Tiznow and the first foal to race out of an Elusive Quality mare. If Chance It scratches to wait for a better spot this guy is going to end up a light price. Ortiz is in Saudi Arabia and Prat picks up the call. He flashed brilliance last year and this really is not a real deep group.

Ete Indien

This colt set the early fractions and could not go with Tiz the Law in the stretch in a runner up finish in the Holy Bull (G3) last out at 4-1, beaten three lengths for the top spot. His only poor showing came in the Bourbon (G3) on turf in his second career start where he drew a bum post and was not a threat in an eighth-place finish. The colt set honest fractions last out and his early zip will serve him well here as he draws a tough post. The switch to dirt seems to have suited this guy who still has the look of a runner with some upside. He was a $80,000 Keeneland purchase, by Summer Front out of a Mizzen Mast mare, her first foal to race. The 8-1 morning line looks fair, but he seems likely to get bet down a few points from that number.