by Gulfstream Park Press Release
February 22, 2019
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable’s Bourbon War breezed an easy half-mile Friday morning at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a start in the $400,000 Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth (G2) March 2.
The 3-year-old son of Tapit covered the four furlongs in 48.68 seconds under regular exercise rider Juan Oyola in his final tune-up for the 1 1/16-mile prep for the $1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream March 30.
“It went great, just what I was looking for,” trainer Mark Hennig said. “He’s doing very well. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Juddmonte Farms, Inc.’s Hidden Scroll, a dazzling debut winner at Gulfstream Jan. 26, also tuned up for a start in the Fountain of Youth on a foggy Friday morning, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Payson Park in Indiantown, FL. The son of Hard Spun worked in company, racing outside 3-year-old stablemate Tacitus on the backstretch before taking over the turn and drawing clear in the stretch.
Bourbon War, a $525,000 purchase at the 2017 Keeneland September yearling sale, made an auspicious 3-year-old debt at Gulfstream Park Jan. 19, when he rallied from off the pace while weaving through traffic to win by 2 ½-length going away in a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance.
The Kentucky-bred colt debuted with a 2 ¼-length victory in a mile off-the-turf maiden race at Aqueduct Nov. 14. He came back 17 days later to finish fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen (G2).
Hidden Scroll romped to victory in his debut, scoring by 14 lengths without urging from jockey Joel Rosario. The Juddmonte homebred ran a mile in 1:34.43 over a sloppy track.
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and William Branch’s Frosted Grace breezed an easy half at Gulfstream for the Fountain of Youth. Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Feb. 2 Swale (G3), the son of Mark Valeski went the four furlongs in 49.30 seconds for trainer Kathy Ritvo.
Fountain of Youth nominee Zenden, Pichi Investment’s Swale runner-up, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.14 at Gulfstream for trainer Victor Barboza Jr.
The Fountain of Youth is also expected to attract Nashua (G3) winner Vekoma, Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Signalman, Fasig-Tipton Holy Bull (G2) runner-up Everfast, Remsen winner Maximus Mischief and Remsen runner-up Code of Honor.