Full steam ahead to The Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve! This Saturday, March 2, 2019, eleven 3 year olds make it to the track for the $400,000 Grade 2 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes!
The race is 1 1/16-mile and will serve as a prep race for the $1 million, Grade 1 Xpressbet Florida Derby on March 30. Post time for the Fountain of Youth Stakes 2019 is 5:32 p.m. Eastern.
The Fountain of Youth Stakes has proved to be a great prep for the Kentucky Derby, as five past winners of the FOY have gone on to win the big Race, most recently Orb in 2013. Also, 13 horses who ran in the Fountain of Youth (did not win) went on the win the Kentucky Derby. So to say the least, it can be a very good meter for who may win the first Saturday of May!
Full List of Starters for Fountain of Youth Stakes
| POST | HORSE | ML ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Code of Honor | 6-1 |
| 2 | Epic Dreamer | 20-1 |
| 3 | Gladiator King | 50-1 |
| 4 | Bourbon War | 10-1 |
| 5 | Vekoma | 7-2 |
| 6 | Signalman | 9-2 |
| 7 | Hidden Scroll | 9-5 |
| 8 | Global Campaign | 10-1 |
| 9 | Everfast | 20-1 |
| 10 | Frosted Grace | 30-1 |
| 11 | Union’s Destiny | 30-1 |
Who to pick for 2019 Fountain of Youth Stakes?!
Although I am not always the best at picking winners, I have singled out a few horses in the 2019 Fountain of Youth Stakes t bet on, depending on how much risk you are willing to take! Have a look:
Best Bets
VEKOMA (7-2)
Starts: 2 – 2 Wins – 0 Seconds – 0 Thirds $151,250
Vekoma is one of the most highly regarded 3 year olds and is returning from a layoff for the FOY. He last won the 1 mile Grade 3 Nashua Stakes on Nov. 4 at Aqueduct and earned a 110 Equibase Speed Figure, 99 Beyer Speed Figure and a 101 Brisnet figure with that victory. He is lightly raced, but has had 6 workouts since Jan 12, including a 5/8 of a mile in :59.87 on Feb 23.
Signalman (9-2)
5 Starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third. $448,990
A bit more seasoned that VEKOMA, SIGNALMAN has been very consistent. Last raced on Nov 34 in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes where he won, SIGNALMAN is looking to stay in the money for his 6th career start. He is a consistent 95 Beyer Speed figure, and I look for him to be in the money for the Fountain of Youth Stakes. He may be the horse as we mentioned above who ran in this race, didn’t win it and went on the win the Kentucky Derby. You heard it hear first!!! What do you think?!
Code of Honor (6-1)
3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds. $151,700
Racing twice at 2 years old, he won his debut and was runner up in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes. His debut as a three year old was less than inspiring, a fourth place finish beaten by over 7 lengths in the Jan 5 Mucho Macho Stakes. Trainer McGaughey is pleased with how he is training, and feel she has the competitive edge. I would expect this horse to be more than 10-1 come race time, so could be a good money maker if he can pull it off.
Who is your pick?!
Wonderful!