The road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve makes its second of three stops at Gulfstream Park Saturday for the $425,000, Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes. The Fountain of Youth offers a total of 105 qualifying points to the May 2 Kentucky Derby on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to the top five finishers, and follows the Jan. 31 Holy Bull Stakes on Gulfstream’s prep schedule. The track’s final Kentucky Derby points race, the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby offering a total of 200 points, is set for March 28.

This year’s Fountain of Youth drew a competitive field with only two starters coming back from the Holy Bull, runner-up Bravaro and fifth-place Global Aviator. The 1 1/16-mile race has been a productive Kentucky Derby prep through the years, producing 15 runners that would go on to win the run for the roses at Churchill Downs. Six of those won both races, and the most recent came last year as Sovereignty won his 3-year-old bow in the Fountain of Youth and then two races later swept to victory in the Kentucky Derby.

The Fountain of Youth Stakes will be broadcast live on NBCSN and streamed on Peacock as part of NBC Sports’ 1/ST Racing Tour series. It will also air live on FanDuel TV and has a scheduled post time of 6:11 p.m. ET.

Read on for information about all of the Fountain of Youth contenders plus some handicapping insights. Wagers offered on the Fountain of Youth are win-place-show, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, and super hi-5, all of which can be made via Gulfstream Park’s partner, 1/ST BET.

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photo

1. Jackson Hole

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owners: WinStar Farm, CHC Inc., and First Go Racing

Career record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $60,000

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 81

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Nyquist – Spa Treatment, by Bernardini

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Analysis: Jackson Hole was purchased for $1.3 million by his owners as a yearling back in 2024 and has shown encouraging potential through two starts, starting with a debut win Dec. 13 going seven furlongs at Gulfstream. He followed that up with an overpowering 5 ½-length score in his two-turn bow Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds, setting the pace in a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional claiming race and never being challenged. Flavien Prat rode him at Fair Grounds but will be aboard Solitude Dude in the Fountain of Youth, and Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who piloted Jackson Hole in his Gulfstream maiden win, takes back the reins. Jackson Hole is expected to challenge Solitude Dude, Rockies Balboa, and possibly Napoleon Solo for the early lead in the Fountain of Youth, which will require him to break cleanly from the inside post position. He’ll need to take the next step in development in order to win against this talented field, and that is certainly possible.

Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park

2. Rockies Balboa

Jockey: Luis Saez

Trainer: Dale Romans

Owners: Charles Monfort, America’s Pastime Stables, Bloom Racing Stable, and Edwin Barker

Career record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $78,465

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 85

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Girvin – Toni Ann’s Miracle, by Hear No Evil

Color: Bay

Running style: Press the pace

Analysis: This cleverly named colt is partially owned by Colorado Rockies co-owner Charles Monfort. He’s trained by current Kentucky U.S. Senate candidate Dale Romans and can join Romans’ Project Ace on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with a top-five finish Saturday. Rockies Balboa has been a much-improved racehorse since shipping to Gulfstream Park, going 2-for-2 with a 5 ¾-length win Dec. 12 in a 6 ½-furlong race followed by a five-length score in a seven-furlong allowance-optional claiming race restricted to Florida-breds. Junior Alvarado was aboard for both of those victories but has the mount on Chief Wallabee in the Fountain of Youth, and Luis Saez, a very good pace rider, takes over. Look for Saez to hustle this colt out from the starting gate and contest the pace with Jackson Hole drawn to his inside along with speedy Solitude Dude and perhaps Napoleon Solo, who’ll be making his first start since early October. Rockies Balboa will be stretching out in distance to two turns for the first time in his career, which makes him a longshot. It would be quite the story if this runner or Holy Bull Stakes third-place finisher Project Ace ends up in the Kentucky Derby for Louisville native Romans, a little over two weeks before the state’s primary election day.

Talkin (left) wins at Saratoga. (Eclipse Sportswire)

3. Talkin

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Trainer: Danny Gargan

Owners: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, and R. A. Hill Stable

Career record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $156,250

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 88

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 5

Pedigree: Good Magic – Rote, by Tiznow

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker/closer

Analysis: This New York-based runner projects as a longshot in the Fountain of Youth. Talkin is set to make his 3-year-old debut Saturday after three starts in the Empire State last year: a debut win in a seven-furlong sprint at Saratoga; a runner-up finish behind Napoleon Solo in the one-turn mile Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct; and then a disappointing finale when ninth of 11 in the two-turn, 1 1/8-mile Remsen Stakes in December, also at Aqueduct. He received betting support at odds of 4.20-1 in the Remsen and was within striking distance early, but tired to finish 18 ¼ lengths behind winner Paladin. That colt and Remsen runner-up Renegade have returned this winter to impress as 3-year-olds; meanwhile, Talkin has reeled off a series of easy workouts in Florida in advance of his comeback. He’s got a solid pedigree for handling two turns and will obviously need to improve substantially from his Remsen flop in order to spring the upset. According to Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch, trainer Danny Gargan said he will probably withdraw Talkin from the Fountain of Youth and enter the colt in the March 7 ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby.

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photo

4. Commandment

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owner: Wathnan Racing

Career record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $165,459

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 93

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Into Mischief – Sippican Harbor, by Orb

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: One of south Florida’s “buzz” horses on the road to Kentucky Derby 152, Commandment faces high expectations in the Fountain of Youth based on dominant wins in his last two outings. After finishing fourth in his October debut at Keeneland, he rallied from a stalking spot to take a seven-furlong maiden race Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs by a widening 5 ¼ lengths. Commandment then returned on Jan. 3 at Gulfstream for his 3-year-old bow in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, held at one mile around one turn, and made short work of six opponents in a 6 ¾-length blowout. This son of leading sire Into Mischief has been favored in all three of his starts to date and has a good chance to be once again when the Fountain of Youth gates open. He’ll be making his first two-turn start but has the pedigree to easily handle 1 1/16 miles, and Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard in the Mucho Macho Man and has a comfortable lead on Gulfstream’s Championship Meet wins leaderboard, retains the mount. The pace scenario in the Fountain of Youth also shapes up to benefit Commandment, who should be sitting in fourth or fifth behind what could be dueling leaders up front. A top win candidate.

Adam Coglianese/NYRA

5. Bravaro

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Owners: Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie Brennan, Shining Stables, BAG Racing Stables, and Paul Braverman

Career record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $203,500

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 89

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 10

Pedigree: Upstart – Opera Star, by Tamarkuz

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Bravaro comes into the Fountain of Youth off of a solid runner-up effort behind impressive winner Nearly in Gulfstream’s first Kentucky Derby prep, the Jan. 31 Holy Bull Stakes. He kept within striking distance of leader Cannoneer and pace-pressing Nearly early in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull and easily held second in the homestretch after Nearly drew clear to romp by 5 ¾ lengths. Prior to that race, Bravaro won both of his starts last fall at Aqueduct, scoring by a length in a six-furlong sprint and then rallying to win a one-turn mile stakes restricted to New York-breds by 2 ½ lengths. He’s trained well for Gulfstream-based Saffie Joseph Jr. since the Holy Bull and has a solid chance to pick up some more Kentucky Derby points with a second- or third-place finish as the pace scenario in the Fountain of Youth should benefit his stalking running style. If the pace is especially fast, pulling the upset is not out of the question for this consistent colt. Tyler Gaffalione, who rode Bravaro for the first time in the Holy Bull, retains the mount.

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photo

6. Chief Wallabee

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Trainer: Bill Mott

Owners: Michael Ball and Katherine Ball

Career record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $40,800

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 91

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Constitution – A La Lucie, by Medaglia d’Oro

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Chief Wallabee turned heads in his first career race Jan. 10 at Gulfstream, stalking the early pace in a seven-furlong maiden race and drawing clear in the stretch to win by 1 ½ lengths over The Puma, with six other horses far back. He earned an impressive 91 Equibase Speed Figure in that first outing, motivating his owners and breeders Michael and Katherine Ball to move him way up the class ladder to test stakes competition in Saturday’s Fountain of Youth. (The Puma was also moved up in class in his next start and finished third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes.) Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott is renowned for his patient approach to managing horses, so his decision to enter Chief Wallabee in a Kentucky Derby prep around two turns in only his second career start is a positive sign. This is a very tough assignment, however, and it will be interesting to see how Chief Wallabee’s connections move forward if the colt does not win or finish second in the Fountain of Youth.

Eclipse Sportswire

7. Napoleon Solo

Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche

Trainer: Chad Summers

Owner: Gold Square

Career record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $319,000

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 10

Pedigree: Liam’s Map – Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Analysis: Kentucky Derby watchers have been anticipating this colt’s return for weeks, and he should vie for post-time favoritism with Commandment in the Fountain of Youth. Napoleon Solo was a standout among a talented 2-year-old group debuting last summer at Saratoga, romping by 5 ¼ lengths in a six-furlong sprint. He then made his second start against stakes company with Kentucky Derby points on the line and delivered a 6 ½-length, front-running tour de force in the Champagne Stakes Oct. 4 at Aqueduct, held at a one-turn mile. Trainer Chad Summers opted to skip an appearance in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA with Napoleon Solo and kept him on the shelf for nearly five months, and the Liam’s Map colt has been working steadily for his return Saturday. The first start for a young horse after a significant layoff is always a bit of a question mark, but based on his juvenile success, Napoleon Solo is a leading win contender. He does his best running when forwardly placed and will get the services of good pace jockey Kendrick Carmouche, who rode him at Saratoga, for Saturday’s Fountain of Youth.

Lauren King/Coglianese Photo

8. Bull by the Horns

Jockey: Micah Husbands

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Owners: Peachtree Stable and Mark Corrado

Career record: 3 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $31,975

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 79

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Essential Quality – No Sweat, by Blame

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Locally based Bull by the Horns projects to carry the longest odds of three Fountain of Youth starters trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., and he could be the longest shot in the overall field as well. He ran twice last year at age 2, finishing third in his Gulfstream Park debut and then winning a one-turn mile maiden race by an impressive 6 ½ lengths. On Jan. 16, the gray or roan colt came back for this 3-year-old bow at Tampa Bay Downs and ran a decent third in a one mile and 40-yard allowance optional claiming race held around two turns. His overall record is solid through three starts, but to date Bull by the Horns has earned speed figures that are among the slowest in the Fountain of Youth field. He’ll have to improve significantly to post an upset, and a more realistic scenario has him picking off a few tired horses late to finish fourth or fifth.

Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park

9. Global Aviator

Jockey: Joe Bravo

Trainer: Rohan Crichton

Owners: Special Aviators and Joseph Imbesi

Career record: 2 starts -1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $31,425

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 80

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 2

Pedigree: Global Campaign – Frisco Girl, by Quality Road

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Global Aviator won his career debut, a six-furlong sprint, by a neck Nov. 29 at Gulfstream and was given a two-month rest before being ambitiously entered in the Holy Bull Stakes at the end of January, where he was a 12.50-1 longshot. The dark bay or brown colt was crowded at the start of the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Derby prep and stalked the pace early, only to tire and finish fifth of six runners behind Nearly. His 3-year-old debut did not go well, and now he’s back for another tough assignment – arguably, a tougher one – in the Fountain of Youth. If he rebounds to bump his speed figures back up to those earned in his debut four months ago, this runner can pick up a minor award. Finishing in the top three would be a surprise against this field. 

Nicole Thomas/Coglianese Photo

10. Solitude Dude

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Owner: Chris Fountoukis

Career record: 3 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $176,070

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 101

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Yaupon – After the Party, by Into Mischief

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Pacesetter

Analysis: This undefeated colt is the wild card in Saturday’s race. Solitude Dude has been dominant through three career starts, all held at sprint distances. If he can transfer that form to the two-turn, 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, he’ll be front and center in any Kentucky Derby discussion as spring approaches. He romped by 9 ½ lengths in a 6 ½-furlong sprint to begin his racing career back on Nov. 1 at Gulfstream, and then shipped to Tampa Bay Downs and routed five opponents in the six-furlong Inaugural Stakes, scoring by eight lengths. Gulfstream-based Saffie Joseph Jr. brought Solitude Dude back home for the seven-furlong Swale Stakes Jan. 31, and the colt responded with an easy 3 ¾-length victory at 1-5 odds. Now, he’ll stretch out against a field far more formidable than the ones he’s trounced, and reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat takes the reins for the first time. Prat should have Solitude Dude forwardly placed after he leaves his outside post position, provided the colt breaks well and can angle in to save ground before reaching the first turn at Gulfstream. Whether he’ll be able to extend his considerable speed far enough to win the Fountain of Youth is a question that we’ll have the answer to soon; even if he can’t, this colt should influence the race’s outcome by helping to create a solid early pace.  

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11. Lost Money

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Trainer: Juan Arias

Owner: Olga Diaz

Career record: 3 starts – 0 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $16,680

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 81

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Street Sense – Bev’s Summer Song, by Birdstone

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Gulfstream-based Lost Money has yet to win through three career starts, and the Fountain of Youth does not appear to be the right spot for him to get off the schneid. At age 2, he finished a distant sixth and fourth in his first two races, both sprints held at Gulfstream, and then returned for his 3-year-old unveiling and checked in second by eight lengths to impressive winner and first-time starter Canaletto Jan. 25 in a one-turn mile on this track. That effort was much improved for Lost Money, and he’s eligible to move forward in his second 2026 start at a two-turn distance that he’s bred to handle. Even if he does, though, it’s hard to see him doing anything more than passing a few tired horses in the stretch to fill out the superfecta at inflated odds.