Fountain of Youth Stakes
The Fountain of Youth Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida in late February. A Grade II event open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt, it currently offers a purse of $400,000. It is the final stakes prep to the Florida Derby and is an official prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Grade II race | |
Location | Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1945 |
Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
Website | www |
Race information | |
Distance | 1 1⁄16 Miles (8 1/2 furlongs) |
Surface | Dirt |
Track | left-handed |
Qualification | Three-year-olds |
Weight | 124 lbs. with allowances[1] |
Purse | $400,000 (since 2011)[2] |
Bonuses | Usually run in late February |
History
The race was named for the mythical Florida spring that granted eternal youth. It was sought by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon who searched throughout the south eastern United States for it without success.
The race has long been a major prep for the Kentucky Derby, with multiple horses being victorious in both races. Four colts, Tim Tam (1958), Kauai King (1966), Spectacular Bid (1979) and Thunder Gulch (1995), won this race then went on to become "Dual Classic Winners," the first three winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, while the last won the Derby and the Belmont Stakes. The 1985 winner, Proud Truth, won that year's Breeders' Cup Classic. More recently, the race has been used as a prep for Derby winner Orb in 2013 and Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags in 2012.[3][4]
The Fountain of Youth Stakes was inaugurated in 1945 and run at various distances until 1953 when it was modified to 1 1⁄16 miles. In 2005, it was changed to a distance of 1 1⁄8 miles. In 2009, it was run at one mile. In 2012, Gulfstream added a second finish line so the Fountain of Youth and other dirt races could be contested at 1 1⁄16 miles.
The race was run twice in 1947 (at the beginning of the year for 3-year-olds and at the end of the year for 2-year-olds). The race was run in two divisions in 1953, 1983, 1986 and 1993.
Records
Speed record:
- 1 1⁄8 miles - 1.48.87 - Eskendereya (2010)
- 1 1⁄16 miles - 1.41.00 - Sensitive Prince (1978)
- 1 mile - 1:35.01 - Quality Road (2009)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 - Michael Tabor (1995, 2000 & 2007)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 - John Velazquez (2007, 2009, 2010, 2013)
- 4 - Jerry Bailey (1980, 1998, 2004 & 2005)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 3 - D. Wayne Lukas (1992, 1995 & 2000)
Winners of the Fountain of Youth Stakes since 1972
Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Gr |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Ete Indien | 3 | Florent Geroux | Patrick Biancone | L. Shanahan, S. Bacon, Dream With Me Stable, Horse France America, D P Racing & Patrick Biancone Racing | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.02 | $400,000 | II |
2019 | Code of Honor | 3 | John Velazquez | Claude McGaughey | W. S. Farish | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.85 | $400,000 | II |
2018 | Promises Fulfilled | 3 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Dale Romans | Robert J. Baron | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.17 | $400,000 | II |
2017 | Gunnevera | 3 | Javier Castellano | Antonio Sano | Peacock Racing Stables | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.25 | $400,000 | II |
2016 | Mohaymen | 3 | Junior Alvarado | Kiaran McLaughlin | Shadwell Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.84 | $400,000 | II |
2015 | Itsaknockout DQ | 3 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:46.28 | $400,000 | II |
2014 | Wildcat Red | 3 | Luis Saez | Jose Garoffalo | Honors Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.85 | $400,000 | II |
2013 | Orb | 3 | John Velazquez | Shug McGaughey | Janney/Phipps Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.24 | $400,000 | II |
2012 | Union Rags | 3 | Julien Leparoux | Michael Matz | Chadds Ford Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.68 | $400,000 | II |
2011 | Soldat | 3 | Alan Garcia | Kiaran McLaughlin | Clarke/Robertson | 1 1⁄8 miles | 1:50.23 | $400,000 | II |
2010 | Eskendereya | 3 | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Zayat Stables | 1 1⁄8 miles | 1:48.87 | $250,000 | II |
2009 | Quality Road | 3 | John Velazquez | James A. Jerkens | Edward P. Evans | 1 mile | 1:35.01 | $350,000 | II |
2008 | Cool Coal Man | 3 | Kent Desormeaux | Nick Zito | Robert V. LaPenta | 1 1⁄8 miles | 1:50.07 | $350,000 | II |
2007 | Scat Daddy | 3 | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Scatuorchio & Tabor | 1 1⁄8 miles | 1:49.11 | $350,000 | II |
2006 | First Samurai DQ | 3 | Edgar Prado | Frank L. Brothers | Bruce Lunsford/Robbins | 1 1⁄8 miles | 1:49.00 | $300,000 | II |
2005 | High Fly | 3 | Jerry D. Bailey | Nick Zito | Live Oak Racing | 1 1⁄8 miles | 1:49.70 | $300,000 | II |
2004 | Read the Footnotes | 3 | Jerry D. Bailey | Richard Violette | Klaravich Stables | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.71 | $250,000 | II |
2003 | Trust n Luck | 3 | Cornelio Velasquez | Ralph Ziadie | E. Paul Robsham | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.33 | $200,000 | I |
2002 | Booklet | 3 | Jorge Chavez | John T. Ward, Jr. | John C. Oxley | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.49 | $200,000 | I |
2001 | Songandaprayer | 3 | Edgar Prado | John F. Dowd | Bobby Hurley | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.48 | $200,000 | I |
2000 | High Yield | 3 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | M. Tabor & R & B Lewis | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.56 | $200,000 | I |
1999 | Vicar | 3 | Shane Sellers | Carl Nafzger | James B. Tafel | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:45.64 | $200,000 | I |
1998 | Lil's Lad | 3 | Jerry D. Bailey | Neil J. Howard | Durst/Farish/Centennial | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.63 | $200,000 | II |
1997 | Pulpit | 3 | Shane Sellers | Frank L. Brothers | Claiborne Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.86 | $200,000 | II |
1996 | Built For Pleasure | 3 | Gary Boulanger | Tommy Heard, Jr. | Tommy Heard, Jr. | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.64 | $200,000 | II |
1995 | Thunder Gulch | 3 | Mike E. Smith | D. Wayne Lukas | Michael Tabor | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.21 | $200,000 | II |
1994 | Dehere | 3 | Craig Perret | Reynaldo Nobles | Due Process Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.70 | $200,000 | II |
1993 # | Duc d'Sligovil | 3 | Julie Krone | Jeremy McNeill | Ray McNeill | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:45.16 | $187,500 | II |
1993 # | Storm Tower | 3 | Rick Wilson | Ben Perkins, Jr. | Charles Hesse | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.98 | $187,500 | II |
1992 | Dance Floor | 3 | Chris Antley | D. Wayne Lukas | Oaktown Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:45.32 | $250,000 | II |
1991 | Fly So Free | 3 | José A. Santos | Scotty Schulhofer | T. & E. Valando | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.30 | $122,500 | II |
1990 | Shot Gun Scott | 3 | Dave Penna | Ronald J. Sarazin | Jean Friedberg/Sco.Hamilton | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.60 | $130,000 | II |
1989 | Dixieland Brass | 3 | Randy Romero | Charles Peoples | Bayard Sharp/Will Farish | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.60 | $130,000 | II |
1988 | Forty Niner | 3 | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Claiborne Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.20 | $165,000 | II |
1987 | Bet Twice | 3 | Craig Perret | Warren Croll | Blanche Levy/Cisley Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.40 | $167,500 | II |
1986 # | Ensighn Rhythm | 3 | Julio Pezua | Leo Azpurua, Jr. | Lushland Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:45.60 | $130,000 | II |
1986 # | MyPrince Charming | 3 | José A. Santos | Newcome Green | Don Aronow | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:45.00 | $130,000 | II |
1985 | Proud Truth | 3 | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Veitch | Darby Dan Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.60 | $175,000 | II |
1984 | Darn That Alarm | 3 | Mike Venezia | George Gianos | Robert N. Caporella | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $95,000 | II |
1983 # | Highland Park | 3 | Don Brumfield | Anthony L. Basile | Bwamazon Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.60 | $75,500 | II |
1983 # | Copelan | 3 | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Mitch Griffin | Fred W. Hooper | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.60 | $75,500 | II |
1982 | Star Gallant | 3 | Sandy Hawley | Leonard Imperio | Buckram Oak Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.20 | $91,000 | II |
1981 | Akureyri | 3 | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Hickory Tree Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:44.40 | $80,000 | III |
1980 | Naked Sky | 3 | Jerry D. Bailey | Neal Winick | Maribel G. Blum | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.80 | $50,000 | III |
1979 | Spectacular Bid | 3 | Ron Franklin | Bud Delp | Hawksworth Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.20 | $60,000 | III |
1978 | Sensitive Prince | 3 | Mickey Solomone | H. Allen Jerkens | Top the Marc Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.00 | $37,500 | III |
1977 | Ruthies Native | 3 | Craig Perret | Eugene Jacobs | Ruth A. Perlmutter | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.00 | $45,000 | III |
1976 | Sonkisser | 3 | Braulio Baeza | Stephen DiMauro | Harold Snyder | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.80 | $37,500 | III |
1975 | Greek Answer | 3 | Mickey Solomone | Frank H. Merrill | W. Preston Gilbride | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.80 | $37,500 | III |
1974 | Green Gambados | 3 | Chuck Baltazar | John W. Jacobs | Harbor View Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.40 | $77,400 | III |
1973 | Shecky Greene | 3 | Braulio Baeza | Lou M. Goldfine | Joseph Kellman | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.80 | $37,650 | III |
1972 | Gentle Smoke | 3 | David Sazer | Forus Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 0:00.00 | $35,000 | ||
* DQ The horse won the race when the apparent winner was disqualified.
Earlier winners
- 1971 - Authorize
- 1970 - Corn Off The Cob
- 1969 - Al Hattab
- 1968 - Wise Exchange
- 1967 - In Reality
- 1966 - Kauai King
- 1965 - Maribeau
- 1964 - Dandy K
- 1963 - Cool Prince
- 1962 - Sharp Count
- 1961 - Beau Prince
- 1960 - Eagle Admiral
- 1959 - Easy Spur
- 1958 - Tim Tam
- 1957 - Gen Duke
- 1956 - Oh Johnny
- 1955 - Nance's Lad
- 1954 - Sea O Erin
- 1953 - Ram O War
- 1953 - Tribe
- 1952 - No race
- 1951 - Alerted
- 1950 - Black George (Owner: William H. Veeneman)
- 1949 - Count-A-Bit
- 1948 - No race
- 1947 - Atomic Power
- 1947 - Tight Squeeze (Owner: Rarco Stables)
- 1946 - No race
- 1945 - Twenty Thirty
References
- "Chart of the 2020 Fountain of Youth". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- "Stakes profile for the Fountain of Youth". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- Johnson, J. Keeler. "Using History to Handicap the 2020 Fountain of Youth". www.americasbestracing.net. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- "Tim Tam Paved Fountain of Youth's Path to Derby Success". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.