Gulfstream Park: General a Rod works for Fountain of Youth

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Mike Maker said all systems are go for General a Rod, who’s expected to be part of a large and very competitive field for Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. The $400,000 Fountain of Youth is the final major prep at Gulfstream Park for the meet’s marquee event, the $1 million Florida Derby, on March 29.

General a Rod has not started since launching his 3-year-old campaign with a victory in the Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year’s Day. He completed a series of solid works in preparation for the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth by working five furlongs in 1:00 at Gulfstream shortly after the first renovation break Sunday.

Maker opted to skip the Grade 2 Holy Bull here last month with General a Rod to await the Fountain of Youth. A son of Roman Ruler, General a Rod has made just three starts, winning twice, with his only setback a second-place finish to another Fountain of Youth contender, Conquest Titan, under allowance conditions Nov. 30 at Churchill Downs.

General a Rod posted splits of 24.40 and 36.60 seconds while going easily over a very fast track, finished strong, then galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.20.

“I thought he worked well again this morning, and he’s ready to go,” Maker said. “We decided to skip the Holy Bull because I thought it would be asking too much of him to run in all these big races. But he’s doing well, and Saturday will certainly be the acid test for him, to see if he fits with these types of horses.”

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

Commissioner also turned in his final tune-up for the Fountain of Youth on Sunday, working four furlongs in 49.10 at Palm Meadows. Commissioner returned from a four-month layoff to defeat Top Billing by a neck under allowance conditions going nine furlongs in his lone 3-year-old start here Jan. 3.

“We had a couple of good five-eighths in him prior to this, so we were just looking for a maintenance half-mile,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Commissioner for WinStar Farm. “Everything is on target for the Fountain of Youth.”

As many as a dozen 3-year-olds are expected for the Fountain of Youth, including Top Billing,Almost Famous, Best Plan Yet, C Zee, East Hall, Medal Count, Our Caravan, We’re All Set, and Wildcat Red.

Entries for the Fountain of Youth and all of Saturday’s races, including the Grade 2 Davona Dale and Grade 3 Canadian Turf, will be drawn Monday.

[Clocker Reports: Get Mike Welsch’s clocker reports from Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows]