Fountain of Youth Preview
Probables include Nobiz Like Showbiz, Stormello and Scat Daddy
Kentucky Derby prep races begin in earnest on Saturday, March 3, 2007, with the running of the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The Fountain of Youth is the middle leg of Gulfstream’s three race preparatory series for the Kentucky Derby, a series which ends with the $1,000,000.00 Florida Derby on Saturday March 31, 2007. Run since 1945, the Fountain of Youth is usually the first race of the year in which the pretenders are removed from the contenders, and this year should be no exception. The series itself, which consists of the Holy Bull, Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby is perhaps the best such series in the nation.
Last year's running was memorable, a race in which Corinthian surprised everyone but was disqualified for bumping First Samurai down the stretch, with the late driving a Flashy Bull finishing third. This year's version appears on paper to be a another challenging race and headlines Nobiz Like Showbiz, the anticipated morning line favorite. The supporting cast in this race is also accomplished, and it will be very interesting to observe who survives this mile and 1/8th race on the dirt.
As usual, if Nobiz Like Showbiz is running, then Scat Daddy cannot be far behind. This son of Johannesburg, out of the Hennessy, is the only colt to have beaten Nobiz, back in the Grade I Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. Also in town will be Drums of Thunder, Buffalo Man, Adore the Gold, Johannesburg Star, Hal's My Hope and Stormello. Delightful Kiss and Meritocracy round out the list of probable starters.
The race marks the return of Stormello, provided that transportation arrangements from California to Florida can be solidified this week. He has not run since winning the Hollywood Futurity on December 16, 2006, the thrilling race which included the brilliant stretch duel between Stormello and Liquidity. Stormello, one of many colts this year who plan to utilize only two preps before the Derby, (including Street Sense and Great Hunter), has only trained since December and his comeback is highly anticipated. Trainer Bill Curran has said, "I can't hold him to the ground anymore, and I don't want to be accused of ducking anything. I want to take on the best." This speedy front runner needs to relax and rate off the pace a bit if he intends to be competitive down the stretch.
Stormello will no doubt get what he wishes for when he faces Nobiz Like Showbiz, winner of the Remsen and Holy Bull stakes. Trained by Barclay Tagg, of Funny Cide fame, this three year old has never run with a speed figure less than 92, when he lost to Scat Daddy. He is the horse to beat and has deservedly earned his Number One ranking in most polls
The race will also serve as a proving ground for Buffalo Man, Adore the Gold and Drums of Thunder. While accomplished, both Buffalo Man and Adore the Gold will be facing stiff competition for the first time. Buffalo Man has victories in the Spectacular Bid and OBS Championship Stakes, but his competition has been minimal. Adore the Gold was victorious in the Swale Stakes, a 6 1/2 furlong run at Gulfstream. Trainer Mike Gorham needs to raise the level of his competition and increase this front running colt’s distance.
For Drums of Thunder, the Fountain of Youth will be his true test, and for him to be successful he must repeat his performance at last month's Holy Bull Stakes, the race that put him on the map. For this relatively unknown colt, his stretch move in this race was an achievement. After splitting Scat Daddy and Nobiz Like Showbiz, he bolted down the stretch giving Nobiz everything he could handle and a very game duel. If he can repeat this performance, he will take a giant leap forward and become a legitimate contender the first Saturday in May.
The remaining competitors are a little soft and may be simply outclassed. Johannesburg Star makes the trip from Aqueduct and has some speed and ability. A good performance here will raise some eyebrows. The same is true but to a lesser degree with Hal’s My Hope, while Delightful Kiss and Meritocracy are expected to have a good view, twenty lengths behind the action.
Overall, a fast start out of the gate is expected, with Stormello leading down the backstretch, making it very possible for Nobiz Like Showbiz, Scat Daddy and Drums of Thunder to pass wilting front runners. Most of the participants will also run in the Florida Derby and allow for the possibility of a rematch of the top three finishers.
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