Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes

Mar 01, 2023 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A total of 10 sophomores will go postward in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The finale on a massive day of racing marks the return of Champion Forte, who capped his brilliant juvenile campaign with a convincing score in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in the fall.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the standout son of Violence went four-for-five as a two-year-old while making good in both of his tests at 1 1/16 miles. The bargain $110,000 purchase has reportedly been training in excellent fashion in advance of his first try on this course, and even if he is not at 100 percent on Saturday, the dark bay is still the one to beat with regular pilot Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the silks.

Forte has natural early foot but prefers to stalk the pace and make his move approaching the turn for home, and he will sit a very good voyage in this particular event with enough pace in front of him to set up his powerful late burst. He is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Cyclone Mischief was a flop as the favorite in the Holy Bull S. (G3) last time out but I will give him a chance to redeem himself in this tilt. Conditioned by Dale Romans, the $450,000 son of Into Mischief looked the part in an allowance romp two back when tracking a fast early pace and drawing off late like a stakes runner. He has kept good company in his lifetime, and is perfectly drawn in this race to track the tempo and get first run turning for home, while traveling in the clear throughout. Tyler Gaffalione retains the mount atop the colt.

Champagne S. (G1) star Blazing Sevens will make his three-year-old bow in this spot for trainer Chad Brown. Fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to conclude his juvenile campaign, the Good Magic colt has been training forwardly at Payson Park leading up to Saturday and seems poised to make an impact in the field from off of the pace. Joel Rosario takes the reins atop the talented dark bay.

An exacta with #4 Forte on top of #9 Cyclone Mischief and #6 Blazing Sevens in the Fountain of Youth Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.