Kentucky Derby Favorites Go Head-To-Head At Fountain Of Youth

by Bodog Racebook Staff | Feb 22 2012

Saddle up for the Fountain Of Youth Stakes this Sunday at Gulfstream Park as the Kentucky Derby prep season continues. Named after the mythical spring once hunted by Ponce de Leon, now a group of three-year-olds will be racing for a different prize: $400,000.

All eyes will be on a pair of Kentucky Derby favorites as Union Rags (8/1) and Algorithms (9/1) are set to go head-to-head. Todd Pletcher trains Algorithms and will have another contender in the race as Discreet Dancer (20/1) is ready to ride too. Both of Pletcher’s colts are undefeated but that will change after the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.

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Union Rags hoping to hit riches

Union Rags has an impressive pedigree so far, which is why he’s the early Kentucky Derby favorite. He’s taken multiple grade-stakes so far including the Saratoga Special and the Champagne Stakes. He did lose at the Breeders’ Cup with a second-place finish and hasn’t raced since then.

He’ll be suited with a new jockey at the Fountain of Youth on Sunday as Julian Leparoux takes over.

Algorithms a perfect three-for-three

Algorithms is a Starlight Racing product and has taking all three races he’s participated in with the most recent win coming at the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on January 29. He easily handled the pack, leaving them five lengths behind, which included Breeders’ Cup Juvenile-winning champ Hansen. That was Hansen’s first loss.

The son of Bernadini was purchased for just $170,000 but has paid off handsomely so far. He’s yet to participate in a two-turn race, so this will surely be a litmus test for him.

Discreet Dancer ready to duel

Discreet Dancer comes from the E. Paul Robsham Stables and is also undefeated. So far, he’s won a pair of races at Gulfstream, which includes a huge 9 3/4 length win as well as a win by 5 1/2.

The jury is still out on Discreet Dancer, who is a talented horse that has done a really good job of whipping some weak competition in one-turn races. It will also be the first time Discreet Dancer stretches to two turns, so the picture will be clearer after Sunday.

Jockey Javier Castellano the key?

Javier Castellano has been the regular jockey for Algorithms, Discreet Dancer and Union Rags, which means he had a difficult decision to make at the Fountain of Youth Stakes. He’ll be on board Algorithms, though, which shows he’s got the confidence in the colt.

Meanwhile, Leparoux, who is fresh off a win at the El Camino Derby, will be on Union Rags while John Velasquez will pilot Discreet Dancer.

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