Gulfstream: Algorithms, Discreet Dancer prep nicely for Fountain of Youth

Barbara D. Livingston

Discreet Dancer, shown last month at Palm Meadows, worked five furlongs Monday in his final tune-up for Sunday's Fountain of Youth.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher took a slightly different approach on Monday morning to get his two undefeated 3-year-olds Algorithms and Discreet Dancer to the same place, the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Sunday at Gulfstream Park.

Algorithms and Discreet Dancer turned in their final workouts Monday at Palm Meadows for the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, a major step towards Gulfstream Park’s marquee race, the $1 million Florida Derby on March 31.

Algorithms was the first of the pair to breeze, working an easy half-mile in 49.09 seconds before galloping out five eighths in 1:01.88 and pulling up six furlongs in 1:14.95, according to Palm Meadows clocker Bryan Walls. Discreet Dancer went a little farther and a little faster after the renovation break, working five furlongs in 1:00.22 while finishing two lengths in front of yet another of Pletcher’s undefeated 3-year-olds, Heavy Breathing. Discreet Dancer galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.

Algorithms has won all three of his starts, including the Grade 3 Holy Bull when he upset reigning 2-year-old champion Hansen going a mile. Discreet Dancer cruised to a pair of easy victories here earlier in the meet.

“Algorithm’s work was basically a mirror image of his work here last week, a half in 49 with a very good gallop out,” said Pletcher. “He continues to train like he’s been training all along down here. I wanted to do a little more with Discreet Dancer because he missed a work. He went after the break, when I thought the track was a tick slower than earlier this morning, and he finished up well and galloped out very strong.”

Algorithms and Discreet Dancer are expected to vie for favoritism in the Fountain of Youth with Union Rags, who has not started since finishing second behind Hansen in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. At the moment, a field of six 3-year-olds is shaping up for the race and also figures to include Casual Trick, Fort Loudon, and Csaba.

Union Rags turned in his final prep for the Fountain of Youth on Sunday at Palm Meadows, working an easy four furlongs in 48.64 from the gate to the delight of his trainer, Michael Matz.

“He did it easy and galloped out fine,” said Matz. “Other than having a race, he’s as ready as he possibly can be. I wanted to pop him out of the gate because he hasn’t raced in a while and he’ll be going up against horses who have been running.”

Recent Fountain of Youth winners

Average winning Beyer: 101.40

Fountain of Youth/Kentucky Derby winners: Tim Tam (1958), Kauai King (1966), Spectacular Bid (1979), Thunder Gulch (1995)