The road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) continues at Gulfstream Park on March 1 with the $415,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), a pivotal prep race that will award 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers. Trainer Ian Wilkes and Whitham Thoroughbreds’ Burnham Square will headline the field of eight 3-year-olds, seeking to solidify his status as a leading contender for the Derby.
Burnham Square, a son of Liam’s Map, enters the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth in red-hot form. After finishing second on debut at Keeneland (Oct. 26) and third at Churchill Downs (Nov. 30), the bay gelding has flourished since adding blinkers. He romped by nine lengths in an allowance at Gulfstream Dec. 28 before capturing the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) on Feb. 1 by 1 ¾ lengths under Edgard Zayas, who retains the mount from Post 3.
With proven form over the track and distance, Burnham Square will be a strong favorite to continue his winning ways.
Making his seasonal debut, Godolphin’s Sovereignty has not raced since dominating the Street Sense Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs (Oct. 27) by five lengths. The son of Into Mischief is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and will break from Post 6 under Junior Alvarado. With fresh legs and strong juvenile form, he looms as a serious threat if he takes to Gulfstream.
Todd Pletcher, another Hall of Famer, enters two promising colts making their two-turn debuts. River Thames (Maclean’s Music): Unbeaten in two starts at Gulfstream, including a 6 ½-length mile win (Feb. 1). John Velazquez retains the ride from Post 2. Gate to Wire (Munnings): Closed strongly for a five-length victory in the seven-furlong Swale Stakes (Feb. 3). Dylan Davis rides from Post 4. Both colts have tactical speed, but stamina will be the key question.
Other Contenders
• Keep It Easy (Post 5) – Won the Ed Brown Stakes (Nov. 30) at Churchill Downs; first start of 2025 for Dale Romans/Corey Lanerie.
• Neoequos (Post 1) – Making open stakes debut for Saffie Joseph Jr./Irad Ortiz Jr..
• McKellen (Post 7) – Hoping to rebound from a sixth-place finish in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes (Jan. 4) for Jose D’Angelo/Tyler Gaffalione.
• Solid Left (Post 8) – Broke maiden at Gulfstream Jan. 26; steps up in class for Brian Lynch/Luis Saez.
Burnham Square’s Gulfstream experience, stakes success, and tactical versatility make him the horse to beat, but Sovereignty’s upside and Pletcher’s talented duo add intrigue. With Kentucky Derby points on the line, expect a highly competitive race as these promising 3-year-olds take their next step toward Churchill Downs on May 3.
