Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida –
Race 14: Grade II Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes
Venue Location: Gulfstream Park, 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 (South Florida’s premier thoroughbred venue, hosting the Championship Meet on its fast main dirt track).
Scheduled Post Time: 6:11 PM ET (Race 14, the marquee finale on a 14-race Fountain of Youth Day card; first post 11:30 AM ET).
Distance/Surface: 1 1/16 miles on the main dirt track (one turn).
Purse: $425,000 (guaranteed). For 3-year-olds. Weights: 122 lbs with allowances. Awards 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers (total 105 points).
Track Conditions: Main dirt track fast and fair. Recent Gulfstream dirt races have been consistently speed-favoring yet bias-free with quick times in one-turn miles and two-turn routes.
Expected Weather Conditions: Mild and pleasant late-February South Florida classic. High near 79°F, low around 67-69°F, partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies, light to moderate southeast winds (8-12 mph), humidity ~65%, and a 15-25% chance of isolated afternoon showers (very low risk of impacting post time or track condition). Ideal for fast dirt and a comfortable evening crowd—no weather bias anticipated.
The 39th running of the Grade II Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes is the second major stop on Gulfstream’s Road to the Kentucky Derby and a pivotal 105-point prep. This year’s 10-horse field (Global Aviator scratched) is exceptionally deep and pace-heavy, featuring an undefeated G1 winner making his seasonal debut, a dominant Mucho Macho Man winner stretching out, and several sharp local performers stretching to two turns for the first time. Pace projects fast and contested early (Napoleon Solo, Solitude Dude, Rockies Balboa, and possibly Jackson Hole all want the lead), setting up perfectly for stalkers and one-run closers on fast dirt. Commandment is the narrow morning-line favorite, but Napoleon Solo, Chief Wallabee, and Solitude Dude make this one of the strongest early Derby preps of the season.
Full Field with Post Positions, Analysis, Jockey/Trainer Notes, and Morning Line Odds
PP 1 – Jackson Hole (Nyquist – Spa Treatment by Medaglia d’Oro)
Jockey: John R. Velazquez (Hall of Famer with five Fountain of Youth wins)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher (four-time winner of this race; perennial Gulfstream powerhouse)
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: $1.3 million Keeneland September yearling purchase. Debut winner Dec. 13 at Gulfstream (7f, off-the-pace score); followed with a dominant gate-to-wire 5½-length win in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer/allowance at Fair Grounds Jan. 17 (first two-turn try). Only horse in the field with a two-turn victory. Pletcher/Velazquez combo is money here; inside post perfect for a ground-saving trip. Live at the price as a logical underneath horse who could sit a perfect pocket trip.
PP 2 – Rockies Balboa (Girvin – Toni Ann’s Miracle)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Dale L. Romans (solid with stakes sophomores)
Morning Line Odds: 20/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Stakes debut after two straight open-length wins at Gulfstream against weaker company (most recent a 5-length allowance score at 7f). Has early speed but will need to step up dramatically in class and handle the extra furlong. Saez can put him on the lead or press—deep bomb for superfectas and multi-race wagers only.
PP 3 – Talkin (Good Magic – Rote by Hard Spun)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Danny Gargan (sharp with improving types)
Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Second to Napoleon Solo in the Champagne (G1) last fall; disappointed in the Remsen (G2). Has shown tactical speed but needs to rebound off a layoff and prove he wants the distance. Rosario upgrade is a plus—respectable longshot for exotics if he returns to best form.
PP 4 – Commandment (Into Mischief – Sippican Harbor by Orb)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. (elite rider in peak form)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (dominant with 3YOs; red-hot meet)
Morning Line Odds: 2/1 (morning-line favorite)
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: $500,000 Keeneland September purchase. Won juvenile debut by 5¼ lengths at Churchill; crushed the Mucho Macho Man S. Jan. 3 by 6¾ lengths (one-turn mile, never extended). Bypassed the Holy Bull to point here. First start around two turns but pedigree and visual impression scream stamina. Cox/Ortiz Jr. combo is lethal—expect him to stalk or press and draw off. The one to beat on current form and class.
PP 5 – Bravaro (Upstart – Opera Star)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione (top local rider)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. (multiple entrants; excellent with Gulfstream 3YOs)
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: New York-bred who won two restricted races last year; game second (first open-company try and first two turns) in the Holy Bull (G3) Jan. 31. Steady improver with two sharp breezes since. Joseph/Gaffalione team wins these races often—tactical speed and local affinity make him a solid exotics play and live upset candidate.
PP 6 – Chief Wallabee (Constitution – A La Lucie by A.P. Indy)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: William I. Mott (Hall of Famer; won last year’s Fountain of Youth)
Morning Line Odds: 9/2
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Undefeated (2-for-2). Impressive 1½-length debut win at Gulfstream Jan. 10 (7f). Homebred with classic pedigree; Mott has him sharp for stakes bow. Tactical versatility and Hall of Fame connections—major threat who could improve significantly stretching out. Must-use in all tickets.
PP 7 – Napoleon Solo (Liam’s Map – Atomic Blonde by Distorted Humor)
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Trainer: Chad Summers (sharp with high-class layoff horses)
Morning Line Odds: 7/2
Weight: 124 lbs
Analysis: Undefeated (2-for-2). Blown-out 5¼-length debut winner at Saratoga (6f); then front-running 6½-length romp in the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct (one-turn mile). Five-month freshening with six breezes; makes 2026 debut. High cruising speed and proven class edge—dangerous if he handles two turns and the layoff. Live second choice.
PP 8 – Bull by the Horns (Essential Quality – No Sweat by Uncle Mo)
Jockey: Micah J. Husbands
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Morning Line Odds: 30/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Stakes debut after a 6½-length maiden special weight win at one-turn mile at Gulfstream and a third in a two-turn allowance at Tampa. Can close; distance should help. Joseph second string—longshot for the bottom of exotic tickets but has upside.
PP 10 – Solitude Dude (Yaupon – After the Party by Speightstown)
Jockey: Flavien Prat (elite turf-to-dirt rider)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Morning Line Odds: 5/1
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: Undefeated 3-for-3 (all one-turn). Blown-out debut winner by 9½ lengths at Gulfstream (6½f); won Tampa Inaugural by 8 lengths (6f); then Swale S. by 3¾ lengths Jan. 31 (7f, fastest figures in field). Two-turn debut but high cruising speed and Joseph barn momentum. Prat upgrade is huge—expect him forwardly placed and very dangerous if he handles the extra ground.
PP 11 – Lost Money (Street Sense – Bev’s Summer Song by Street Cry (IRE))
Jockey: Javier Castellano (Hall of Famer)
Trainer: Juan D. Arias
Morning Line Odds: 50/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Three-start maiden with limited stakes experience and low figures. Castellano can steal a share with a perfect trip, but this is a big class jump—deepest bomb for superfectas only.
Summary and Wagering Angles:
A deep, pace-heavy Derby prep with no runaway standout. Commandment (4) is the deserving narrow favorite with his explosive recent form and top connections, but Napoleon Solo (7) brings G1 class off the layoff and Chief Wallabee (6) and Solitude Dude (10) offer terrific value as undefeated locals. The early speed battle (7-10-2-1) should set up for stalkers like Commandment, Bravaro (5), and Chief Wallabee. Joseph has three live runners (5-8-10) for exotic depth.
