Hurts ran like the headliner in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (Grade II [KYD]), delivering a winning performance for Royalty Stables with Velazquez in the irons. Sent off at 7-5, the bay colt handled the 1 1/16-mile dirt trip on a fast track and stopped the clock in 1:41.30, adding another major line to an already accomplished three-year-old resume in this Kentucky Derby prep.
Flow & Calls (Expanded)
From the opening stages, the early pace formed quickly, with Wealthy B Wonka and Long Ride prominent in the first wave. The Wrong Guy stayed close enough to keep the leaders in view, while Hurts settled into striking position behind that front group as the tempo established itself through the opening quarter.
As the field moved through the half, the race remained compact. Wealthy B Wonka continued to show speed and Long Ride held position near the top as well, while Hurts stayed within range and kept his momentum intact. Joykiller tracked from just behind the key pace horses and maintained contact, while Hengroen and Mankayia were farther back early and still had plenty to do. Swamp Reaper and Justified traveled mid-pack, and Dune Road also sat off the first flight while the race began to tighten heading toward the latter stages.
At the third call, the decisive moves began to appear. Hurts advanced and took control as the race turned into a true test of finish. Joykiller kept coming and moved into contention, while Hengroen began to close strongly from deeper in the field. Behind them, Wealthy B Wonka fought on after being involved early, and Swamp Reaper continued forward in the middle part of the stretch run. Justified stayed engaged but could not reach the top group, while Mankayia, Dune Road, The Wrong Guy, and Long Ride all continued to compete through the lane without threatening the top three.
In the final furlong, Hurts held his advantage to the wire, with Joykiller clearly second-best and Hengroen completing the trifecta after a sustained late run.
Individual Trip Notes
- Hurts stayed within striking range early, moved forward approaching the final stages, and finished the job to win.
- Joykiller kept contact early, worked into contention late, and held second.
- Hengroen was further back early, improved steadily, and finished best among the closers for third.
- Wealthy B Wonka showed early speed, stayed involved through the middle calls, and battled on late.
- Swamp Reaper tracked mid-pack and kept running to round out the top five.
- Justified remained in the second half early and improved position late without reaching the leaders.
- Mankayia stayed off the early pace and kept on through the stretch.
- Dune Road sat behind the main pace group and continued on without making a decisive impact.
- The Wrong Guy tracked near the early leaders and weakened in the latter stages.
- Long Ride was involved early and faded as the race intensified late.
Winner’s Snapshot (Pedigree / Breeder / Earnings)
Hurts is a bay colt by Hide And Seek out of Agapova, bred by Royalty Stables (NY)* and campaigned by his current owner Royalty Stables. He now owns a career record of 9 starts: 6 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and has $1,388.800 in lifetime earnings.
Track: Fast
Time: :231 :47 1:11 1:411
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 3 – 1 Paid 41.30
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 1 – 10 Paid 1,386.30
Scratched: Blooming Attack, Terrorizer
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES, THE TRIPLE CROWN