Napoleon Solo headlines an explosive Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park

The winner of the Champagne returns after several months of inactivity in the great prep for the Florida Derby (G1)

Napoleón Solo winning the Champagne Stakes / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).- The Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2-1700 m, dirt, US$ 425,000 purse) promises to shake up the stakes landscape this Saturday at Gulfstream Park, with 6 undefeated—or nearly so—ready to face off for the 105 points (50-25-15-10-5) towards the Kentucky Derby (G1) that will be at stake.

The name dominating the preview is Napoleon Solo, undefeated and winner of the Champagne Stakes (G1) at age 2. The pupil of Chad Summers shone at Saratoga and then demolished by 6 1/2 lengths at Aqueduct. After skipping the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), he reappears after nearly 5 months, with Kendrick Carmouche confirmed in the irons.

The opposition will be severe. Commandment, prepared by Brad Cox, arrives after sweeping by 6 3/4 lengths in the Mucho Macho Man (L). The son of Into Mischief will have the mount of Irad Ortiz Jr., always a decisive factor in South Florida.

Also undefeated is Jackson Hole, trained by multiple champion Todd Pletcher, who has already won this race 4 times, the last with the star Forte (Violence). The son of Nyquist dominated at Gulfstream and then confirmed at Fair Grounds; John Velazquez will be in the saddle.

Among those maintaining a perfect record are Chief Wallabee (Constitution), defending for Bill Mott, and Solitude Dude (Yaupon), one of the 3 representatives of Saffie Joseph Jr. The latter, winner of the Swale (G3), will face two turns for the first time, with Flavien Prat assigned.

The field is completed by experienced names such as Bravaro (Upstart) —second in the Holy Bull (G3)— as well as Talkin (Good Magic), Rockies Balboa (Girvin), Bull by the Horns (Essential Quality), Global Aviator (Global Campaign), and Lost Money (Street Sense).

The program includes 10 stakes in total —eight of them graded— including the Davona Dale (G2) for fillies over a mile, with 105 points at stake. On Time Girl (Not This Time), Imperatrice (City of Light), and Haute Diva (Constitution) headline a competitive field.