Commandment ‘Looks Great’ After Fountain of Youth Score

[Wandering Eyes]

Wathnan Racing's Commandment (Into Mischief) looked no worse for wear at Payson Park Sunday morning after taking the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream one day earlier.

“He looks great this morning,” trainer Brad Cox said. “We're real pleased with him.”

Winner of the Mucho Macho Man Stakes in early January, Commandment fended off 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Chief Wallabee (Constitution) in the Kentucky Derby point-earning qualifier.

The 1 1/16-mile test serves as a prep for the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 29 at Gulfstream.

While the one-sixteenth mile shorter Fountain of Youth ended at the first finish line on Gulfstream's 1 1/8 mile track, the Florida Derby concludes at the second finish line at the oval.

“I think it was important that Irad [Ortiz Jr.] asked him to run to the second wire there for the experience moving forward,” explained Cox. “If we pursue the Florida Derby, it makes sense to continue on to the second wire.”

“You're only doing it if everything's going well. If you're fading or not doing well down the lane, you don't ask him, but if you have horse and you're finishing well, you may as well go ahead and educate him, stay on and finish up.”

Commandment, fourth in his six-furlong career debut at Keeneland last fall, won a seven-furlong allowance at Churchill Downs in November prior to his Mucho Macho Man victory.

“I think his first run at Keeneland, if you actually watch it and watch the gallop-out, he showed a good bit there as well. It was a better performance on tape than it was on paper. I think it was a fair way of looking at it,” Cox said. “He's been nothing but impressive, the way I look at it, in the afternoons from the time he broke his maiden, won the Mucho Macho Man and [Saturday].”

Michael and Katherine Ball's Chief Wallabee earned 25 Derby points for his strong second-place finish in just his second career start.

According to trainer Bill Mott, there are 'four or five races to choose from' for Chief Wallabee's next start.

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