Meet the Contenders: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes

Meet the horses running in the 2023 Fountain of Youth S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well among the field.

#1 GENERAL JIM

General Jim wins the Swale Stakes (Photo by Nicole Thomas/Coglianese Photos)

Pro: Enters off career-best effort in Swale (G3) and has won around two turns before.

Con: Troubled trip in Mucho Macho Man S. two back, but that was a slow affair.

#2 LEGACY ISLE

Pro: In a race without a lot of speed, he’ll be one of the ones to catch.

Con: Must improve quite a few lengths to surprise this field.

#3 SHADOW DRAGON

Shadow Dragon wins maiden (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Pro: Took a big step forward in Holy Bull (G3), justifying his entry.

Con: This is easily the deepest case he’s ever faced.

#4 FORTE

Forte, with Irad Ortiz aboard, wins the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile for trainer Todd Pletcher, Keeneland Race Course, KY 11.04.2022. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Pro: Juvenile champion and Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite is the class of the field.

Con: Odds-on favorites and those making their season debuts have struggled in this race of late.

#5 IL MIRACOLO

Pro: Barn has won this twice, with Gunnevera (2017) and Simplification (2022).

Con: Well beaten in all three prior stakes tries; filler on paper.

#6 BLAZING SEVENS

Blazing Sevens winning the Champagne S. (G1) at Belmont at the Big A (Photo by Janet Garaguso/Coglianese Photos)

Pro: Champagne (G1) winner off poorly in BC Juvenile (G1), but still a commendable fourth.

Con: No match against Forte in both prior meetings.

#7 MAGE

Mage wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)

Pro: Impressive debut win for colt with nice pedigree, plenty of upside.

Con: Would need to be very special in order to win this in second career start.

#8 ROCKET CAN

Rocket Can winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)

Pro: Has improved significantly since stretching out, including wide-trip win in Holy Bull.

Con: Has yet to run seriously fast and must improve several lengths.

#9 CYCLONE MISCHIEF

Cyclone Mischief wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)

Pro: Turned in one of the better performances of the meet with his allowance win two back.

Con: Flopped in Holy Bull and might simply prefer one turn.

#10 DANGEROUS RIDE

Dangerous Ride wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)

Pro: Enters off career best effort, though he was entered for a tag that day.

Con: Too slow on paper and one of the more obvious outsiders in the field.