The spotlight falls firmly on the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes this Saturday, as Commandment returns to Gulfstream Park for the 80th running of the Grade 2 feature. Wathnan Racing’s progressive colt, so impressive in the Mucho Macho Man on Jan. 3, steps back onto the Florida stage with momentum — and expectation — firmly behind him.
Trained by Brad Cox, Commandment was a decisive winner on his three-year-old debut, settling kindly before slicing between rivals and powering clear over a one-turn mile. That performance stamped him as a colt of genuine promise and prompted a patient approach thereafter, bypassing the Holy Bull to focus squarely on this weekend’s Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes.
“I didn’t want to run him back in four weeks,” Cox explained earlier this week. “This made good sense as a stepping stone toward the spring targets.”
The son of Into Mischief has trained steadily at Payson Park, posting a sequence of purposeful breezes. Saturday’s assignment will mark his first attempt around two turns, but Cox has expressed confidence in both his temperament and stamina.
Commandment Leads Deep Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes Field
Installed as the morning-line favourite, Commandment faces a field rich in depth and ambition.
Gold Square LLC’s Napoleon Solo, unbeaten in two starts, brings formidable credentials. The son of Liam’s Map dazzled at Saratoga before capturing the Champagne Stakes in emphatic style. Trainer Chad Summers opted to freshen him with his three-year-old season in mind, and recent morning drills suggest he has returned in excellent order. Kendrick Carmouche retains the mount.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. fields a trio, headed by Solitude Dude, a colt blessed with natural speed and unbeaten in three one-turn outings. By Yaupon, he now stretches out in distance under Flavien Prat, a development that will test both his rhythm and resolve.
Stablemate Bravaro, a son of Upstart, shaped encouragingly when second in the Holy Bull on his first try beyond a mile. With two solid breezes since, connections believe he is poised to build on that effort. Bull by the Horns, by Essential Quality, completes the Joseph trio and is expected to appreciate the added ground.
From the rail comes Jackson Hole, representing Todd Pletcher. The son of Nyquist is the only runner in the line-up already proven at the distance, having dictated matters in a Fair Grounds allowance over 1 1/16 miles. Hall of Famer John Velazquez takes the reins.
Chief Wallabee, trained by Bill Mott, created a favourable impression when scoring on debut in January and now steps into graded company with Junior Alvarado aboard. Meanwhile, Dale Romans saddles Rockies Balboa for his first stakes appearance, and several others — including Global Aviator and Lost Money — seek to make their mark at this higher level.
With nine stakes on a 14-race programme, the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes stands as the afternoon’s centrepiece, offering a searching examination of emerging three-year-old talent over 1 1/16 miles. Beyond the immediate prize, it shapes as a pivotal stepping stone toward the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby later this spring.
For Commandment, Saturday represents both opportunity and examination. His Mucho Macho Man victory hinted at significant upside; the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes will reveal just how far that promise can carry him.
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