Connections of FOY Finishers, led by Winner Sovereignty, Reflect and Assess What’s Next

[Wandering Eyes]

Godolphin's Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who closed from last to first to capture Saturday's Coolmore GII Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, emerged as an exciting Triple Crown prospect in the first start of his 3-year-old season.

“We were sort of hoping that was the way the race would pan out,” Godolphin USA's director of bloodstock Michael Banahan said Sunday. “We didn't really know if he'd have enough ground to actually catch the horses on the lead with his running style, especially with the way the track seems to play for speed at Gulfstream. We were really just looking for a good run. To actually have as good a run as we had and win the race was fantastic.”

Sovereignty, who was unraced since breaking his maiden in the Oct. 27 GIII Street Sense at Churchill Downs, picked up 50 qualifying points for the May 3 GI Kentucky Derby with his neck decision over previously undefeated River Thames (Maclean's Music).

The 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth served as a final prep for the 1 1/8-mile $1-million GI Curlin Florida Derby, which will offer 100 Derby points to the winner Mar. 29 at Gulfstream.

“[The Florida Derby] will certainly be in the mix. It will probably suit him a little bit better with the configuration of the track for the longer distance race, as well,” Banahan said. “It will certainly come into play, for sure. It's a while away, but it will come up quickly.”

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Sovereignty, who is in a three-way tie for the top spot in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings with 60 points, already locked up a berth in the Run for the Roses with his impressive Fountain of Youth effort.

“We're hopeful he can stay healthy and well and we can roll on to the next race down the road,” said Banahan, who said the son of Into Mischief 'looked to be in great shape' following his eye-opening performance.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed Sunday that WinStar Farm LLC and CHC Inc.'s River Thames exited the Fountain of Youth in good order.

Ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, the 2-1 second betting choice chased the pace before taking command in mid-stretch, only to be caught late by Sovereignty.

“We're happy with the trip he got. I thought Johnny made a good decision when he took him outside of [the pace],” Pletcher said Sunday. “The only thing is we felt like late in the race, he kind of lost focus a little bit. He pricked his ears. I don't know if he was looking at the big screen or footprints on the track or exactly what made him lose focus for a minute, but he ran a really good race.”

River Thames was making his stakes debut in the Fountain of Youth after stamping himself a TDN Rising Star when winning his Jan. 11 debut before returning to easily win an optional claiming allowance Feb. 1 during the Championship Meet.

“When you put things into perspective, seven weeks ago he was an un-started maiden,” Pletcher said. “He's come a long way in a short time.”

Pletcher said he and WinStar's Elliot Walden 'will play it by ear' concerning River Thames' next start.

Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC's Burnham Square was never a factor as the 9-5 favorite in the Fountain of Youth, in which he raced evenly to finish fourth by a neck. Trainer Ian Wilkes reported by text that the son of Liam's Map was 'good' Sunday.

Burnham Square was seeking his third straight victory of the Championship Meet, during which he broke his maiden by nine lengths Dec. 28 and captured the Feb. 1 GIII Holy Bull by 1 3/4 lengths.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indicated he was pleased with Neoequos' (Neolithic) third-place finish in his first start around two turns in the Fountain of Youth.

“It was a good run,” he said. “Distance was a question mark going in, and it probably is a question mark, but he did get a really good Beyer. He got a 94 Beyer. Originally, I was going to cut him back, but I might give him one more try. It's the Florida Derby. It's home. Why not? I might give him one more try but I want to see how he does the next couple weeks”

Joseph was also pleased with C2 Racing Stable LLC and Mathis Stable LLC's The Queens M G (Thousand Words), who exited her 2 3/4-length triumph in Saturday's GII Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale at Gulfstream.

“She bounced out well and all being well she's going to go to the Gulfstream Oaks,” said Joseph, whose trainee earned 50 qualifying points for the May 2 GI Kentucky Oaks.

Asked if the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks on the Curlin Florida Derby undercard would be an issue for the filly has yet to start past two turns, Joseph said, “Two turns for her I don't think is a problem. Although she's won those 4 1/2-furlong races and sprints early on, she's always a filly who, when she works, is very steady. I think that will work to her favor. I don't think distance is a problem for her.”

 

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