Fountain of Youth features a strong dozen

Capt. Candyman Can will attempt to validate his Derby status Saturday (Ed Van Meter/Horsephotos.com) Grade 2 winners CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (Candy Ride [Arg]) and BEETHOVEN (Sky Mesa) highlight a dynamite field of 12 three-year-olds in Saturday’s $250,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Shortened to a one-turn, one-mile distance this year, the Fountain of Youth serves as a prep for the Florida Derby (G1) on March 28, and is shaping up as proving ground for a large group of Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls in South Florida. Capt. Candyman Can and Beethoven are in the minority as graded stakes winners. After concluding his juvenile season with a victory in the Iroquois S. (G3) and a close third in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2), Capt. Candyman Can opened 2009 with an impressive 1 1/2-length score in the seven-furlong Hutcheson S. (G2). The Ian Wilkes-trained gelding will keep Julien Leparoux in the saddle. Beethoven captured the Kentucky Jockey Club, but he drew a tough outside post and could only manage fourth when making his sophomore return in the Holy Bull S. (G3). The John Ward Jr. trainee is eligible to improve while cutting back in trip on Saturday, and regular jockey Calvin Borel will be in from Arkansas for the ride. Nashua S. (G3) hero BREAK WATER EDISON (Lemon Drop Kid) is the only other graded winner in the field, and the John Kimmel trainee will need to rebound from a disappointing sixth in the Hutcheson. He broke from the rail that afternoon, and the quirky colt had problems in a couple of starts last year when breaking from the innermost post. Break Water Edison captured the one-mile Nashua from post 6, and he appears well-drawn on Saturday in post 8. Eibar Coa will pick up the mount.

Unbeaten TAQARUB (Aldebaran), a smashing 8 1/4-length winner of the
six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield S. on January 19 at Aqueduct, will step up in class
and distance in the Fountain of Youth. The Kiaran McLaughlin runner has made all
three of his career appearances at six furlongs. NOTONTHESAMEPAGE (Catienus), a
dominant 8 1/4-length victor of the six-furlong Spectacular Bid S. on
Gulfstream’s opening day, will also stretch out in trip in order to determine
whether he continues along the path to the Kentucky Derby. THIS ONES FOR PHIL (Untuttable)
is another entrant exiting a terrific stakes victory at six furlongs, winning
the Sunshine Millions Dash S. last time out. That was the gelding’s first start
under the direction of Richard Dutrow, and This Ones for Phil earned a whopping
111 BRIS Speed rating for his effort.

THEREGOESJOJO (Brahms) and QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality), the respective
one-two finishers in a January 10 allowance over the track, are lightly raced
but promising colts who can establish themselves as legitimate Kentucky Derby
prospects with a strong showing on Saturday. The same goes for TAKE THE POINTS
(Even the Score), who exits a two-length allowance tally at this distance on
January 31 and is cross-entered to Saturday’s Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita. JACK SPRATT (Candy Ride [Arg]) will move from turf to dirt off his
fine score in the Dania Beach S. on January 17. Hutcheson third-placer BEE CEE
CEE (Songandaprayer) and fifth-placer ROCKETING RETURNS (Gone West) round out
the field.

The $150,000

Canadian Turf (G3) will be offered one race earlier on Saturday, and 11
runners are set for the one-mile turf test. Grade 2-winning millionaire
DELIGHTFUL KISS (Kissin Kris), a three-length winner of the Hal’s Hope H. (G3)
two starts back, is the top draw. Third in the Sunshine Millions Classic last
time from a difficult post 12, the five-year-old gelding will switch from dirt
to turf for Pete Anderson. Multiple Grade 3 victor SPORTING ART (Doneraile
Court) and Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1) runner-up JUST AS WELL (A.P. Indy) are
also entered.