Hidden Scroll, Code of Honor punch up prospective field for Fountain of Youth

Hidden Scroll, a runaway winner of his debut on Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park, and Code of Honor, runner-up in last year’s Champagne Stakes, are among the 3-year-olds pointing for the Grade 2, $350,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 2 at Gulfstream, their trainers said Thursday.

Hidden Scroll dazzled on the Pegasus undercard, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 104. On Thursday trainer Bill Mott said “we’re taking a serious look at the Fountain of Youth” with the son of Hard Spun.

Mott finds himself with a number of promising Kentucky Derby prospects this spring. Country House, who beat maidens in his last start on Jan. 17 at Gulfstream, is headed to the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 16, Mott said. He added that both Mucho, who has not raced since finishing second in the Hopeful last summer at Saratoga, and Tacitus, idle since a maiden win at Aqueduct on Nov. 10, are training forwardly at Payson Park and “should run in March.”

Code of Honor, trained by Shug McGaughey, was fourth most recently in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream on Jan. 5. He has had four works since then at Payson Park, including a half-mile breeze on Tuesday under regular rider John Velazquez that was timed in 48 seconds, best of the morning among 22 at the distance.

“Johnny worked him and he went real well,” McGaughey said Thursday. “We’re definitely going in the Fountain of Youth.”

The Fountain of Youth, at 1 1/16 miles, is worth 50 points to the winner on the system used by Churchill Downs to determine the field for the Kentucky Derby on May 4, and it is starting to shape up as the best Derby prep so far this year.

In addition to Code of Honor and Hidden Scroll, a number of other highly regarded 3-year-olds are expected for the Fountain of Youth.

Bourbon War, an allowance winner last month at Gulfstream, will run, trainer Mark Hennig said.

Vekoma, unbeaten in two starts including the Nashua last fall, will make his 3-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth, trainer George Weaver said.

Harvey Wallbanger, upset winner of the Holy Bull, could run in the Fountain of Youth or await the Florida Derby on March 30, trainer Kenny McPeek said. McPeek also is considering Kentucky Jockey Club winner Signalman for the Fountain of Youth, and said the Tampa Bay Derby on March 9 is the other option for Signalman’s 3-year-old debut.

Maximus Mischief, the beaten favorite in the Holy Bull, is under consideration for the Fountain of Youth for trainer Butch Reid.

Chad Brown said that Remsen runner-up Network Effect could make his 3-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth or await the Gotham at Aqueduct on March 9.