Hidden Scroll installed as 9-5 favorite in 11-horse Fountain of Youth

Feb 28, 2019 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Hidden Scroll crushed maiden rivals when making his first start five weeks ago and the exciting three-year-old colt will look to join the Kentucky Derby picture in Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

A Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier, the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth awards a total of 85 points to the top four finishers (50-20-10-5 scale) and Hidden Scroll has been tabbed as the 9-5 morning line favorite against 10 rivals.

FREE Fountain of Youth PPs courtesy of Brisnet.com!

A Juddmonte Farms homebred, Hidden Scroll was overlooked at 8-1 when opening his career in a one-mile maiden special weight on the January 26 Pegasus World Cup undercard at Gulfstream. The Bill Mott-trained colt showed speed from the start, widening his advantage at every point of call, and drew off spectacularly to a 14-length decision. Hidden Scroll registered a field-best 102 BRIS Speed rating and Joel Rosario retains the mount on the son of 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun.

Vekoma will make his first attempt in a Kentucky Derby qualifier. The promising Candy Ride colt won both starts last year, including a 1 ¾-length victory in the Nashua (G3) at Aqueduct in November, and will open his three-year-old campaign with first-time Lasix. George Weaver trains from R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables and regular rider Manny Franco will be in from New York for the assignment.

Signalman showed an affinity for Churchill Downs last fall, recording a rallying third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), and makes his anticipated three-year-old bow Saturday. A $32,000 yearling purchase, Signalman has already earned nearly $450,000 for his connections and is conditioned by Kenny McPeek. Brian Hernandez Jr. guides the early 9-2 third choice.

Bourbon War returns to stakes company following a sharp 2 ¼-length allowance triumph last month. Leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. will be up for Mark Hennig. Global Campaign will make his initial stakes appearance after a pair of comfortable wins at Gulfstream, showing good speed defeating maiden special weight and entry-level allowance foes. He’s trained by Stanley Hough and has the services of Luis Saez.

Everfast merits consideration following a runner-up effort in the February 2 Holy Bull (G2) at 128-1 odds. Chris Landeros has the call for Dale Romans. Code of Honor, runner-up in the Champagne (G2) two back, will seek to rebound after finishing fourth as the favorite in the January 5 Mucho Macho Man. John Velazquez rides for Kentucky Derby winner Shug McGaughey. Holy Bull fourth-placer Epic Dreamer is also part of the mix.

Expected longshots Frosted Grace, Gladiator King and Union’s Destiny complete the field.