Mohaymen impresses in latest workout for Fountain of Youth

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Mohaymen had his first workout since his romp in the Jan. 30 Holy Bull Stakes when breezing a half-mile in 47.60 seconds Friday at the Palm Meadows training center just north of Gulfstream Park.

“It didn’t look like he went that fast,” said Kiaran McLaughlin, who trains Mohaymen for Shadwell Stable. “He’s just doing that well.”

Mohaymen is the favorite for the 142nd Kentucky Derby in the first Derby Watch listings released this week by Daily Racing Form. The unbeaten gray colt is among at least six prospective starters for the next major Derby prep at Gulfstream, the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 27.

Mohaymen, a Tapit colt who cost $2.2 million as a yearling, continues to impress McLaughlin in his training. Going solo over a fast track with regular exercise rider Miguel Jaime aboard for the Friday breeze, Mohaymen got his opening eighth-mile in just under 13 seconds “and picked it up on his own” thereafter, said McLaughlin.

“He did it easy,” McLaughlin said. “He went in the 3 or 4 path, comfortably and nice. He’s just doing great. We’re very happy.”

Mohaymen has won all four of his starts, all with Junior Alvarado up, since being unveiled in September at Belmont Park. After capturing the Nashua and Remsen stakes to end his 2-year-old campaign, he won the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull by 3 1/2 lengths in his 3-year-old debut. McLaughlin said the colt will breeze once more leading into the Fountain of Youth.

Other 3-year-olds being pointed to the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth include Awesome Banner, Awesome Speed, Cherry Wine, Fellowship, and Zulu. Nominations close Sunday.

The Fountain of Youth is one of eight stakes, including five for 3-year-olds, on a huge Feb. 27 card. The most compelling undercard race figures to be the Grade 2, $200,000 Davona Dale, with another unbeaten, Cathryn Sophia, looking to take an important step toward the Kentucky Oaks. Among the other stakes is the Gulfstream Park Sprint, a Grade 3 race in which X Y Jet will try to earn an invitation to Dubai.

The Fountain of Youth headlines the next big date here. The only Gulfstream stakes until then is the ungraded Melody of Colors, a $75,000 turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies next Saturday, Feb. 20.