Gulfstream Park: Borel to ride Almost Famous again in Fountain of Youth

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Pat Byrne has confirmed that Calvin Borel will return from Oaklawn Park to ride Almost Famous in the Feb. 22 Fountain of Youth. Borel was aboard the colt when he finished fourth behind Cairo Prince in the Jan. 25 Holy Bull.

Almost Famous breezed a half-mile in 49 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday, and Byrne said he plans a blowout for the colt this weekend.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

“The colt is doing fantastic,” Byrne said Tuesday from Palm Meadows. “I didn’t have him fully cranked for that first race, so we’re expecting a better effort this time.

“Like everyone else, we’ll soon find out if we have a contender or a pretender for the Derby.”

Byrne experienced disparate results Sunday at Gulfstream. The usually reliable Positively finished last in the Pick of the Litter allowance, and the 4-year-old filly Successful Luck won her career debut in a six-furlong maiden-special race.