Trainer Kenny McPeek sent out Fountain of Youth S. (G2) runner-up THEREGOESJOJO (Brahms)
to breeze three-quarters in 1:15 1/5 over Gulfstream Park’s sloppy dirt on Sunday
in his final major work in advance of next Saturday’s $750,000 Florida Derby
(G1) going 1 1/8 miles over the track.
The move occurred one day later than originally scheduled, with McPeek
postponing it because of sloppy track conditions on Saturday morning. After
day-long rain on Saturday, the Gulfstream surface remained sloppy with “dogs” up
protecting the inside rail Sunday morning, but McPeek gave the go ahead for
Theregoesjojo to work at about 7:30 a.m. (EDT).
Clockers caught the bay colt posting fractions of :25 2/5, :37 4/5 and 1:03
before galloping out seven furlongs in 1:30.
“I don’t normally like to work horses on a muddy track, but this went well,”
McPeek said later in the morning. “He got what he needed and came out of it just
fine. He’s all done up and put away.”
In two starts at the current Gulfstream meet, Theregoesjojo and QUALITY ROAD
(Elusive Quality) have wound up trading decisions. Theregoesjojo got the better
of his rival in a January 10 allowance going seven furlongs, but Quality Road
got the better of the two races when scoring a 4 1/4-length victory in the
one-mile Fountain of Youth on February 28.
The rubber match comes Saturday when they face off for a third time in a
field also expected to include DUNKIRK (Unbridled’s Song), who is undefeated in
two starts; Grade 2 winner BEETHOVEN (Sky Mesa), third in the Fountain of Youth
last out; maiden victor SINCERO (Repent); and STATELY CHARACTER (Pleasant Tap),
who broke his maiden in last year’s Foolish Pleasure S. at Calder. Trainer Nick
Zito is also expected to run one of several nominees.
While Theregoesjojo came through his workout Sunday morning in good order,
stablemate and allowance winner STRIKING DANCER (Smart Strike) will miss
Friday’s Bonnie Miss S. (G2).
“She came out of her workout last week with a small issue and will have to
pass on the Bonnie Miss,” McPeek explained.