Dornoch wins Fountain of Youth after notable scratches

Mar 03, 2024 James Scully

A game nose victor over Sierra Leone in December’s Remsen (G2), Dornoch stretched his win streak to three while opening his three-year-old season in Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The Danny Gargan-trained colt, a full-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage, broke on top with jockey Luis Saez and showed the way on a short lead before scoring by 1 3/4 lengths.

Nine were entered for the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier, which offered points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale to the top five finishers, but only five went to the starting gate after a quartet of scratches, including a pair of top contenders.

Grade 1 juvenile winner Locked, last seen finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), was withdrawn Saturday morning by Todd Pletcher. His stablemate, impressive debut winner Speak Easy, dumped jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and was forced to scratch after running off in the post parade. Merit, who finished second in a Friday allowance, and Victory Avenue were also scratched.

Dornoch makes his 3yo debut on Saturday in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park after his stunning rebreak against Sierra Leone in the Remsen at Aqueduct.

He is one of 5️⃣ horses to follow in @James_Scully111's Expert Stable!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/Z4I1kr94aB pic.twitter.com/mhkdNgT1YD

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 29, 2024

Dornoch left the starting gate at 1-5 and established moderate fractions in :24.39, :48.14, and 1:11.43 before completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.64. West Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing, and Pine Racing Stables campaign the bay son of Good Magic.

Le Dom Bro, the longest shot at 27-1, chased in second throughout. Frankie’s Empire tried to challenge on the far turn, but he wound up a neck behind the runner-up in third. Real Macho and Dancing Groom followed.

Dornoch, a $325,000 yearling purchase, finished second in his first two starts, including the Sapling S. at Monmouth Park, before romping over maiden special weight rivals at Keeneland in October. He jumped to second on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with his second consecutive graded stakes win, increasing his point total to 60.