If workout any indication, Chance It is ready for Fountain of Youth

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. can only hope everything goes as well for Chance It a week from Saturday in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth as it did in his final major work for the race here Monday.

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With jockey Tyler Gaffalione Jr. aboard, Chance It worked a perfectly orchestrated five furlongs in an eye-catching 58.18 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.06. Chance It broke off nine lengths behind a pair of stablemates, swung five wide after completing his opening three-eighths in 34.52, readily ran by his targets at midstretch while never being asked, and sustained that momentum into the clubhouse turn.

“I wanted to get a strong one into him and it went perfect,” said Joseph. “I wanted to give him a good, long target to go by and have him go out another good eighth after the wire. Tyler said he does it so easily. The amazing thing is his recovery rate. He gets back to the barn and he’s not even blowing. That’s the freaky thing for me. He just doesn’t get tired. The fitness is there. I’m happy where we are at right now.”

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Joseph said what impressed him the most Monday morning was the way Chance It finished, getting a final quarter in 23.66 without urging.

“Not many horses can finish like that off such a fast opening three-eighths,” said Joseph. “It makes you feel good, although until they go a mile and one-quarter you never know. But talent wise, I think he’s as talented as any 3-year-old I’ve seen so far. At least on the East Coast.”

Two days earlier, Dennis’ Moment also turned in a strong five-furlong work in 59.89 with his regular exercise rider Tammy Fox aboard. Dennis’ Moment will be one of Chance It’s chief rivals in the Fountain of Youth.

Dennis’ Moment also had a target, the 4-year-old Admire, who was on the Kentucky Derby trail a year ago. Dennis’ Moment was unable to pass Admire when asked to the wire. The pair galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.87.

“The work didn’t go exactly as it was supposed to, but I thought it was fine,” trainer Dale Romans said. “He went fast and he got a lot out of it. He’ll work again next weekend and he’s ready to roll. I think he’ll be 100 percent fit for the Fountain of Youth.”

Dennis’ Moment, who has not started since stumbling at the start and finishing last in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, is scheduled to have his final Derby prep on March 28 in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

“We need to earn points, but we want to win both races and go into the Derby on a roll,” said Romans.

Romans also has himself another nice 3-year-old prospect in the barn in Attachment Rate, who was an easy maiden winner going a mile over the sloppy track on Saturday while earning a career best 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

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Joseph works stakes fillies

Monday was a busy morning for Joseph, who also worked his stakes-winning 3-year-old fillies Sound Machine and Tonalist’s Shape, both of whom also had Gaffalione in the saddle.

Sound Machine was the first of the pair to go, breezing four furlongs in 48.53 over the fast track. Tonalist’s Shape also went an easy half-mile about 30 minutes later in 49.65.

Sound Machine was a 6 ½-length winner of the Glitter Woman in her 3-year-old debut and will return Saturday in the Any Limit Stakes.

“She’s really a changed filly,” said Joseph. “She was visually impressive in her last start and has moved forward off that race.”

Tonalist’s Shape is perfect in four starts and will be the likely favorite a week from Saturday in the one-mile Davona Dale.

“When you watch her work she can deceive you – she does only what she has to do,” said Joseph. “The further she goes the better with her, and the Kentucky Oaks has been our long-term goal with her for a while.”