The stage is set for what promises to be a memorable renewal of the
$400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) Sunday at Gulfstream
Park as trainer Todd Pletcher had both Starlight Racing’s Algorithms
and E. Paul Robsham’s Discreet Dancer out for a final workout Monday
morning at Palm Meadows, both colts undefeated going into the race.
Algorithms was timed an easy half-mile in 49 flat while Discreet
Dancer went five furlongs in 1:00 1/5. Algorithms is a son of Bernardini
purchased for $170,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sales and
has won all three of his starts, most recently the one-mile Holy Bull
Stakes (G3) here on Jan. 29 by five lengths over 2011 Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile (G1) winner and Eclipse champion Hansen.
Discreet Dancer is a Florida homebred by Discreet Cat and has won
his only two starts at this meet, beginning with a track record debut
performance on Dec. 3 when he won by 9 ¾ lengths going 5 ½ furlongs. He
came back to win a one-mile allowance on Jan. 7 by 5 ½ lengths.
Leading Gulfstream rider Javier Castellano has ridden both colts in
all of their starts, but will be aboard Algorithms Sunday with John
Velazquez to handle Discreet Dancer.
Fort Loudon to Get Big Test in Fountain of Youth
Jacks or Better Farm’s Florida homebred colt Fort Loudon will take his
chance against early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorites Union Rags and
Algorithms in next Sunday’s $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth
Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park, and 3-year-old filly stablemate Awesome
Belle will line-up for Saturday’s $250,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2).
“We know both races will be tough,” said trainer Stanley Gold
Sunday, “But we’re here (Calder) and don’t like to ship around. I
thought Fort Loudon ran a good race off the layoff to finish fourth in
the Holy Bull. He only got beat 1 ½ lengths for second by Hansen.and a
length for third by My Adonis, and both of them are going to the Gotham
(Aqueduct Saturday), so we don’t have to worry about them.
“I’d rather run Awesome Belle in a ‘two other than’ allowance, but
that race just doesn’t go, so we’re here and she’s going to run. Despite
her last race (eighth in Sweetest Chant on turf), I still think she’ll
prove to be best on turf later on.” Awesome Belle won the My Dear Girl
Division finale of the Florida Stallion Stakes on Oct. 15 at Calder by
seven lengths going 1 1/16 miles.
Both Fort Loudon and Awesome Belle are by Awesome of Course and
earned there trips to the Breeders’ Cup winning Florida Stallion Stakes
finales in the In Reality and My Dear Girl, respectively. Fort Loudon
got a wide trip finishing seventh behind Hansen and Union Rags in the
Juvenile, beaten nine lengths; and Awesome Belle never threatened
breaking from post 14 and checking in 12th in Juvenile Fillies.