Rattle N Roll makes awaited return in Fountain of Youth

Mar 01, 2022 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Stablemate Smile Happy got his first Kentucky Derby (G1) prep in two weeks
ago, in the Risen Star (G2), and on Saturday it will be Rattle N Roll's
turn to do the same in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream
Park.

Both colts captured the signature juvenile races in Kentucky last fall, in
Rattle N Roll's case the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. An off-the-pace
winner by 4 1/4 lengths that day, Rattle N Roll was an intended starter in the
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, but was taken out of consideration after
developing a hoof abscess.

Rattle N Roll faces a full field in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, and
will need some racing luck in what will be his first start in five months.

'He's a bit of a set-up horse,' trainer Kenny McPeek said. 'He needs pace in
front of him. That's out of our control, but we're looking to get two races into
him before Kentucky and go from there.'

Todd Pletcher will look to become the all-time winningest trainer in Fountain
of Youth history when he sends out Mo Donegal and Emmanuel. Remsen
(G2) winner Mo Donegal made a mild rally for third in last month's Holy Bull
(G3) after a slow start, and could be forced to take back again Saturday as he
drew post 12.

'There could be a fast pace, which wouldn't hurt his running style,' said
Pletcher, who along with fellow Hall of Famers Jimmy Jones and mentor D. Wayne
Lukas has won the Fountain of Youth three times.

Emmanuel, who has plenty of early foot, was a blowout winner in each of his
two starts. The first was a one-mile maiden at Gulfstream in December, the
latest a two-turn allowance at Tampa Bay Downs.

'They're both talented horses. Emmanuel has a bit of a larger physical
presence than a lot of the More Than Readys we've had. He's a good-sized, strong
colt with a really good More Than Ready disposition,' Pletcher said. 'He's a
very straightforward, very professional, smart colt.'

There are several others with the ability to fuel the pace. Simplification,
who captured the Mucho Macho Man S. on the front end New Year's Day, missed the
break in the Holy Bull and was forced to rally from behind. However, he showed
the versatility to make the best of things when edging Mo Donegal for second.

Among the other speed lining up are Pasco S. winner Markhamian, Swale
(G3) runner-up Dean Delivers, and last-out allowance winners In Due
Time and A. P.'s Secret.

High Oak, too, could prove fresh in his first start since finishing
fourth in the Hopeful (G1) on Labor Day. The Bill Mott trainee previously
captured the Saratoga Special (G2). Another to watch is stakes winner Howling
Time, fifth behind Smile Happy in a key edition of the Kentucky Jockey Club
(G2) when last seen in November.

The Fountain of Youth offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 50-20-10-5
to the respective top four finishers. Post time is 5:42 p.m. ET. The race can be
watched and wagered on at
TwinSpires.com.