The Fountain Of Youth Stakes (Grade 2) (KYD)- $400.000 Purse
GP- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
March 4, 2017

As the days get closer to the 2017 running of the KYD, we are looking for the favorites to separate themselves from the pack.  Those who got most of the attention as two year olds still need to show they will be as good this year and were not one that peaked in snow season.  We spent a lot of time talking about the super fully Snow Peak, or Juvenile winner Ginger Haggis. Now, it’s becoming the BC Juvenile runner up that’s making the biggest statement during prep season.  Last month, he was here while running for Downwind Stables, and picked up a win in the Holy Bull.  It was a good looking win, but if he still had doubters, the biggest case was made here in the Fountain Of Youth, where he not only won, but won convincingly.  He now races for John Henry, and anyone will recall that last year’s KYD winner, Water Mummy, won that race for Downwind before also being sold to John Henry later in that month.  However, with that one, John Henry did not get the results he had hoped for.  With Made To Sin, he is off to a good start.  He now has 70 TC points, and while he doesn’t have to race again before the KYD, perhaps we’ll see him here again to sweep the Florida preps in the FL Derby.   It is the first win in this stake for both the trainer and jockey R Bejarano.  The time of victory was 1:41.34, placing it second in history of races run at this exact distance.  Let’s take a look at how it happened!

1st- 9- Made To Sin (3/1)- Our eventual winner from John Henry got off to a good overall start, but would not pressure the lead group early.  In the early moments of this race, there was a four horse breakaway at the front, led by Acquisitive and Farley On Wheels.   Made To Sin led the second group, keeping them three lengths behind fourth place Night Terra as they moved into the backstretch.  Patiently waited for his time to strike during the backstretch, and had five and a half lengths to make up on the leader as the field moved to the turn.  Led the rest of the field by a length at this point, and that would prove beneficial, allowing R Bejarano to pick the ideal lane without the worry of obstruction as he prepared to pass the front four.  As they hit the frontstretch, the gap had shrunk to two, and it was looking like his biggest challenge would be Moving Around behind him and not one of these leaders.  In the stretch, he displayed a powerful stride, and won in convincing fashion while driving to the wire, and not just barely holding on.  It is an impressive performance that will be referenced all the way up until the KYD.  He has many thinking he is the top threat for that title right now, and he may be.  I am still partial to Profound Connection in that regard, but Made To Sin is certainly right there with him!  Made To Sin is a three year old colt by Gsin and out of the Grand Slam autogen Made To Slam.  He was bred in California as a yearling by Team 7 Illusions and John Henry is his fifth owner, buying him recently from Downwind Stables for $450.000.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 5- Moving Around (9/1)- The runner up from Mb Stables began this race towards the back of the field, running in the ninth position at the top of the backstretch while trailing by eight lengths.  Did not wait until the turn before making his move, as he began advancing in the second half of the backstretch, putting himself in a good position once it they hit the top of the turn.  He was nearly flawless in the turn, gaining four lengths during this portion of the race, making his gap to the leaders a manageable three lengths for the stretch.  Ran beautifully in the stretch, making up those lengths, just not the one to Made To Sin, as he picks up a strong second.  You’ll be seeing this one again.  This result gives him 20 KYD points, 10th on the overall leaderboard, and 4th on the Mb leaderboard.

3rd- 11- Farley On Wheels (7/1)- Broke aggressively from his outside post for Tiratzo and challenged Acquisitive for the early lead before letting him have it as they moved around the turn.  He would end up stalking him to the outside during the backstretch portion.  Made his move to the lead as the turn began, and would take over the top spot not too long after.    As they hit the top of the stretch, he was looking pretty good with a length advantage, but they were bearing in on him from behind.  Ran well, until the very closing moments where he seemed to pack it in way too much, costing him second.

4th- 8- Snow Peak (7/2)- Our super filly was also the post time favorite as she looked to pick up this big win against the boys. As expected, she would be at the back of the pack early on, while stablemate Acquisitive did his part to set a quick pace.  The gap to the leaders was about nine and a half at the top of the backstretch.  Positioned herself to make the winning move in the turn, and exploded with run at the top of the stretch.  She ran well at that point, but had been too far back, and before you knew it, they hit the wire.  Nothing to be ashamed of, but you wonder now if the trainer will target the KYO, especially since he has no shortage of KYD threats.

5th- 2- Virtual Knowledge (17/1)- The Nakamura Stables entry broke conservatively out of the gate, and would eventually go all the way to the back of the field.  Moving into the backstretch, he was keeping Snow Peak and Wicked Kruz company at the tail end.  Stayed back there around the turn, as there was not really a lane opening up for him.  At the top of the stretch, an opportunity emerged between Profound Approach and Snow Peak and he looked to make the most of it.  Valiant bid, but too little too late.

6th- 10- Profound Approach (21/1)- Appeared to break well from the gate for Blushing Meadows, and then looked to assume a position in the middle of the field.  His outside post made this a little difficult, and he would be near the back while rounding the turn.  Had a clear lane in front of him, and was only a length behind Made To Sin during the backstretch trip.  At the top of the stretch, when others began making their bids, Profound Approach could not keep them behind him, but he did pass a few that were tiring.

7th- 12- Wicked Kruz (40/1)- The longshot from Brave had absolutely no interest in running early, and before you could blink, he was nine lengths out of it moving in to the opening turn. Trailed by as many as 11 lengths at one point in the backstretch, and jockey J Bravo (who had a tough day in the three races I covered here in regards to trips), was indecisive about what lane to take.  Had no choice but to go five wide around the turn, but was in an all out drive as he tried to make his closing bid.  His drive was pretty even to Snow Peak most of the way, so nothing wrong in the stretch, just needed to be closer.

8th- 1- Cuddly Brit (22/1)- Got off to a nice start while along the rail for Maxmillion Farm, but was not about to fight with the early pace set by Acquisitive.    Moving into the backstretch, he had a comfortable stalking position about two lengths out.  Cruised along in this position for the backstretch, and would be third as they made their way to the turn. Made a move on entry to follow Farley On Wheels then wanted to take it three wide.  Progress stalled out, however, and by the exit of the turn, others were getting by him and he did not have much fight left.

9th- 7- Acquisitive (28/1)- Shot out of the gate for trainer Mb Stables, and after an early battle with Farley On Wheels to determine who would get the lead, it would be Acquisitive in front by the time they hit the top of the backstretch.  Set the opening quarter fraction in :22.72, and half in :45.90, maintaining his length lead.  In the turn, Farley On Wheels would take the lead, and Acquisitive seemed to lose interest at that point.

10th- 3- Winter Is Coming (7/1)- The D J C Racing Stables entry was not interested in the early pace and began the race near the rear of the field.  May have wanted to make a move in the backstretch, but the eventual winner was in front of him and not ready to go yet.    Once that one did move, Winter Is Coming remained as stagnant as a lingering cold front.  Showed nothing in the stretch.

11th- 4- Sicario (17/1)- Started the race in the middle of the field, though with the group that was well off the pace, putting him seven lengths from the lead.   Ran patiently along the rail over the backstretch, and for the duration of the turn.  This continued during the stretch, as his effort lacked any kind of spark.

12th- 6- Night Terra (15/1)- Made his debut for Kopites in this race, but perhaps the game didn’t realize the sale had happened yet.  Decent early, like he was supposed to be in the Holy Bull, stalking the front runners.  Started to lose touch with the leaders midway through the backstretch.  Called it a day in the turn.  Hard for me to watch.

Track: Fast
Time: :22³  :45⁴  1:09⁴  1:41¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 9 – 5 Paid 20.30
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 5 – 11 Paid 1,566.50

Scratched: Pip Saltfish

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES