Race of the Week - The Fountain of Youth Stakes
Saturday's Fountain of Youth Stakes is the biggest race on the horse racing calendar this weekend, with the winner all but guaranteed to qualify for the Kentucky Derby in May...
Owners and trainers are looking for their horses to accumulate at least 40 points, which in most years is enough to warrant an invitation to the Kentucky Derby. None of the horses currently entered in the Fountain of Youth has more than 10 points, meaning only the winner will be able to count on racing in the first jewel of the Triple Crown on the first Saturday in May.
Looking at the field
The top five finishers in that race are entered in the Fountain of Youth, along with Drain the Clock and Fire at Will, who is making the move from turf to dirt. Greatest Honour is still the class of the field and will no doubt be the favorite when the morning line odds are established. His record of 5-2-1-2 (five entries, two wins, one second place, two third places) along with the recent Holy Bull victory justifies the pick.
Fire at Will last raced on November 6, winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky. The speedy colt won by three lengths in the mile race over a crowded 13 horse field. Drain the Clock has been impressive, with a record of 5-4-0-0, the only blemish coming when he tossed his jockey at the Jean Lafitte Stakes. The Saffie Joseph Jr. entry will be making his first start longer than seven furlongs.