The Road to the Kentucky Derby provided two thrilling stretch battles Feb. 28 in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes and Gotham Stakes. When the calendar switched to March, Oaklawn Park was ready to carry the torch.
Commandment proved he could go two turns and indicated that he had more stamina if needed with his win in the $400,000 Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park.
Historians will note that a Gotham Stakes winner has not captured the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve since the immortal Secretariat in 1973.
All signs pointed to Unbridled’s Song in the 1996 edition of the Fountain of Youth Stakes Feb. 24 at Gulfstream Park. The flashy gray or roan colt by Unbridled had closed out his 2-year-old season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and prepped for the 1 1/16-mile race with a sprint tune-up three weeks earlier at the Hallandale Beach, Fla. track.
BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his weekly Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.
