Sovereignty, Journalism, and Flood Zone Added Key Wins on the Road to the Kentucky Derby

They won the Fountain of Youth (G2), the San Felipe Stakes (G2), and the Gotham Stakes (G3), at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, and Aqueduct, respectively

Journalism, with Umberto Rispoli aboard, defeated Barnes at Santa Anita / BENOIT PHOTOS

A busy Saturday unfolded on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), with three major prep races across different regions of the United States. At Gulfstream Park, Miami, Florida, Sovereignty (Into Mischief) kept fans on edge as he triumphed in the Fountain of Youth (G2-1700m, dirt, US$401,650); at Santa Anita Park, California, Journalism(Curlin) handed Barnes (Into Mischief) his first loss while taking the San Felipe Stakes (G2-1700m, dirt, US$300,000); and at Aqueduct, New York, Flood Zone (Frosted) caused a surprise to capture the Gotham Stakes (G3-1600m, dirt, US$300,000).

Leading into the Florida Derby (G1), the Fountain of Youth provided a nail-biting finish. Down the stretch, River Thames (Maclean's Music) appeared to have the race in hand, opening a two-length lead after overtaking the front-runner Neoequos (Neolithic). However, charging from last place and with a strong final surge, Sovereignty caught up with him in the final yards to win by a neck in 1:43.12, guided by Junior Alvarado, the Venezuelan jockey, and trained by Bill Mott for Godolphin, who had an exceptional Saturday.

At Santa Anita Park, Journalism had a superb stretch run to defeat the favorite Barnes (Into Mischief) and solidify his position among the top 3-year-olds racing on the West Coast. Under the guidance of Umberto Rispoli, the talented colt, trained by Michael McCarthy and bred by Don Alberto Corporation, punched his ticket to the Santa Anita Derby(G1).

In the Gotham Stakes, the lead-up to the historic Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), it was all about the surprising Flood Zone, who raced in the colors of Whatnan Racing and is now under the care of Brad Cox. With Reylu Gutiérrezaboard, the winner battled much of the stretch with local contender Sand Devil (Violence), who had set the pace and fought valiantly. However, Flood Zone proved too strong in the final furlong, pulling away to win by 3 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:39.62.