Gulfstream Park: Pletcher still evaluating Algortihms after Fountain of Youth scratch

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher said it will probably be several days before he knows exactly where he stands with Algorithms, who was scratched from Sunday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth due to a splint injury on his right front leg.

Pletcher said he discovered the injury Saturday, but didn’t know until Sunday morning the severity of the problem.

“We noticed it yesterday, and at the time, I was hoping he’d just rapped himself and he’d be fine by today,” Pletcher said. “We took him out and trained him this morning, but he just didn’t train like himself. The area was still hot and irritated and looked like a genuine splint.”

Pletcher said he was able to treat Algorithms with anti-inflammatory medication once scratching the colt from the Fountain of Youth and that he would be taken out of training for the next few days.

“We’ll try to cool it out and then assess the situation in a few days,” Pletcher said. “We still have lots of options left for him, if everything turns out all right.”

Algorithms is perfect in three career starts and easily defeated reigning juvenile champion Hansen in the Grade 3 Holy Bull here last month. He was expected to go postward the favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth. His defection left a field of seven in the Fountain of Youth, including Pletcher’s undefeated Discreet Dancer and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Union Rags.