Fountain of Youth Results
Pletcher colt Scat Daddy registers first victory since October
Yesterday's Fountain of Youth Stakes was a sight to behold and fulfilled all of the hype and expectations speculated over the last several weeks. When the cloud of dust dispersed, trainer Todd Pletcher's Scat Daddy had won by a nose over Stormello, the west coaster who shipped in for the race despite being on a three month layoff. The reliable and accomplished Nobiz Like Showbiz finished for show, ½ length behind the victor and ½ length in front of Adore the Gold, who finished a tough luck fourth.
All four hit the wire almost simultaneously and made the stretch run appear to be the end of a turf race. Scat Daddy closed from the outside and essentially won by a head bob, narrowly catching Stormello in the final second. All runners certainly deserve credit and none lost face regardless of their order of finish. All four proved that they are top Kentucky Derby contenders.
As they turned the corner and hit the stretch, Stormello, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, was neck and neck with Adore the Gold. With Edgar Prado on board, Adore the Gold bolted out of the gate from the ninth position and went immediately to the front with Stormello. The two horses dueled at the top of the stretch when they were put under pressure by Nobiz Like Showbiz two furlongs from the finish. In the last furlong, Scat Daddy, with regular rider John Velazquez, closed furiously to win by a nose. It was Scat Daddy's first victory in almost five months, since his defeat of Nobiz in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park in October.
As of late, many handicappers felt that Scat Daddy was a Miler, but on Saturday he proved them wrong. His five month winless streak brought many detractors. He has now reestablished himself as a top competitor for the Derby crown. He remains the only horse to ever beaten Nobiz Like Showbiz, a feat he has now accomplished twice. In addition, with the exception of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Championship, in which he finished fourth, he has never finished out of the money. This son of Johannesburg, out of Hennessy, is a force to be reckoned with and trainer Todd Pletcher may have the dark brown colt peaking on the 5th of May.
Credit goes to Stormello and trainer William Currin for the running a fantastic race Not bad for a horse who has not run since mid-December in the Hollywood Futurity, where he outran Liquidity by a neck. While some have questioned Currin's philosophy of not racing over the last several months, Stormello appears willing and able to compete at the highest level.
Although Nobiz Like Showbiz finished in show position, trainer Barclay Tagg should be nothing but encouraged by the horse's effort in this race. The same must be said for Adore the Gold who hung in until the very end. If this front running colt can relax and rate the pace for even a little bit, his chances to compete for the Derby will increase dramatically.
Drums of Thunder left the race with questions about his ability still remaining. The fast pace of yesterday's race was ideal for his closing style, yet he remained a non-factor and finished a distant sixth. Should he start sometime next month, it will most likely be a make it or break it deal.
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