Expert Pick of the Week: 2025 Fountain of Youth Stakes

Feb 26, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A fine field of eight sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles over the Gulfstream Park main strip in Saturday’s $415,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis. A really good cast of three-year-olds has been assembled in the deep field including the exciting River Thames, one of two contenders from the Todd Pletcher shedrow.

River Thames debuted on January 11 at this venue in a six-furlong maiden special weight event and moved to the fore in early stretch prior to drawing off to a commanding, 4 3/4-length score. In his initial try facing winners, the $200,000 yearling purchase was once again a dominant victor, this time finishing 6 1/2 lengths clear under the wire in a one-mile allowance contest.

The New York-bred son of Maclean’s Music has displayed a good measure of early foot, combined with a strong turn of foot, and he has earned stout Brisnet Speed numbers of 96 and 99 from two races to date, as well. He must answer the two-turn question on Saturday, and he also has to prove that he is capable of performing at this level, but the colt has given every indication that he will be up to both of those tasks in his stakes bow. River Thames has posted a pair of maintenance morning moves at Palm Beach Downs as of late and will have regular rider John Velazquez in the stirrups.

Burnham Square wins the G3 Holy Bull! 🌹 @IanWilkesRacing pic.twitter.com/v7tqk73OC0

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 1, 2025

Impressive Holy Bull S. (G3) victor Burnham Square continues to improve for conditioner Ian Wilkes, especially since having blinkers added two races back. The Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred has proven to be capable of winning from on the lead or from off the pace, and the son of Liam’s Map surely has an affinity for the Gulfstream surface, as well. The bay gelding continues to train in forward fashion and is the one to beat with Edgard Zayas retaining the ride.

Godolphin homebred Sovereignty was visually impressive in his Street Sense S. (G3) romp to graduate in his final performance as a juvenile. Trained by Bill Mott, the Into Mischief three-year-old has displayed an excellent turn of foot in each of his trio of races to date, and the colt has an extremely high ceiling with expected improvement this campaign. The bay might not be at his best off the layoff, but he will still be passing runners in the lane on Saturday with Junior Alvarado on board.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #6 River Thames on top of #3 Burnham Square and #2 Sovereignty in the 2025 Fountain of Youth Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.