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 2, 2019

Questionable had a successful two year old season that was highlighted by him finishing second in the BC Juvenile, just missing out in a photo finish to Beach Dandy. While Beach Dandy has continued to cement himself as one of the ones to beat for the KYD, Questionable’s two races after the Juvenile were not as impressive, though not terrible, either. Today in the Fountain Of Youth, if there was any question that Questionable was still a strong threat to win the KYD, that was answered here. With the win, he gets his 50 points and knows that he will be a part of the field as long as his trainer, Mb Stables, wants him to be. That disclaimer is necessary due to the entry restrictions on trainers for the big race. It’s the second win in the stake for Mb Stables, who also won in 2013 with the late Hick Up. He went on to finish second in the KYD that year. Jockey J R Velazquez has gotten used to winning the race, as he has now done so five times. His last win was in 2014 with Niagra. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:41.86, a little slower then some past years, but all that was needed. Let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :23.11)- There were a few who were good right from the gate, but it would eventually be our two also eligibles pushing their way to the front from their outermost posts in the early going. Marx On The Moon, a huge longshot out of Court Jester Racing led early by a length over Mo Mentum Farm’s Big Universe. Another length back, we see Shake It Up And Go, from John Henry, as part of a three wide group. It looked like he was going to be up front initially, but was held back just a little bit. This put him to the outside of our eventual winner, Questionable, from Mb Stables, and Phooeys Queen Blue, from Estero Farms. Akkadian, from Nakamura Stables, was next in line, a half length ahead of another three wide group. From inside to outside, that consisted of Hard News (D J C Racing Stables), Chai Bay (Serenity Stables), and Into The Light (Mb Stables). Grappler (D J C Racing Stables) was a half length behind them on the outside. Apples To Oranges (Mb Stables) was next, and then it was way back to Serengeti Sands (TwinTowersRacing), who trailed by nine.

(½ Mile- :46.40)- Marx On The Moon continued to lead the field down the backstretch, but would be approached on his outside by Shake It Up And Go, who was seeming a little confused in the early going as to whether or not he wanted to go for the lead. Big Universe was third, and within a length, but had Phooeys Queen Blue to his inside, and the advancing Into The Light on the outside. The latter of which moved up a few spots during this portion of the race. Questionable was now racing in the middle of the field, with Hard News, about three lengths back. Akkadian kept himself within striking range as well, and had good track position at this point in the race. Chai Bay was positioned directly behind Questionable. Apples To Oranges and Grappler were next, then it was still several lengths back to Serengeti Sands.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- As the backstretch run moved into the turn, it was if all of the frontrunners simultaneously felt as though Marx On The Moon was going to drop out of it, and they all moved down to clear that lane for him. He held his own for a little bit, but midway through, we had four of them all going at it, setting up a fantastic potential finish. Phooeys Queen Blue, Into The Light, Big Universe, and Shake It Up And Go were all beside one another, passing Marx On The Moon and battling one another hard for the advantage going into the stretch. Questionable was moving up as well, but because they were all lined up across the track, he would have to move into a six wide position to make his charge in the stretch. Akkadian was one lane wider, and also moving forward. All of these horses looked like they had a chance at this point, and Chai Bay was lurking here as well, though would need somethign to open up for him. Hard News, Apples To Oranges, and Grappler were within four lengths, too, and Serengeti Sands had joined the rest of the pack.

(Finish- 1:41.86)- Into The Light looked the best initially into the stretch, then it looked like Phooeys Queen Blue might emerge as the top horse. In a thrilling stretch battle with many different contenders, it would be Questionable emerging as the quickest, running hard in the stretch while along the outside to get the win. Given the intensity of this stretch run, the trainer has to feel very good about how Questionable stepped up. Akkadian finishes second by about a half a length and should also be one to watch next month. Into The Light takes the headbob for third over Big Universe, with Phooeys Queen Blue a close by fifth. Chai Bay was strong in the stretch to be sixth, remember he had more ground to make up when the frontstretch run began. Grappler and Shake It Up And Go were within a length themselves, not bad for 7th and 8th place finishes. Apples To Oranges, Serengeti Sands, Hard News, and Marx On The Moon round out the running order. Not sure if there is anyone in this field who, when looking past the finishing position of their horse, would be discouraged to the point of not giving them another chance next month.

About The Winner- Questionable, trained by Mb Stables, and ridden to victory by J R Velazquez, is a three year old gelding by No Doubt About It, and is out of Return Line. He was bred in Ontario by Mb Stables as a yearling, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his second in 7 starts, both of which are graded wins. His career earnings are now $849.600.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :46²  1:10¹  1:41⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 6 Paid 221.20
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 6 – 4 Paid 1,519.10

Scratched: Asset Allocation, Dreamscape, Scarlet Ninja

— NS

Categories: FEATURED STORIES, Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES