Simplification among Fountain of Youth workers

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Six potential starters for the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on March 5 worked here over the weekend, led by Simplification, runner-up in the Grade 3 Holy Bull, who zipped five furlongs in 58.53 shortly after the renovation break on Saturday.

Regular rider Javier Castellano, who had breezed Simplification in his last several works prior to the Holy Bull, was scheduled to be aboard again for Saturday’s drill but had to beg off due to a scheduling conflict, according to trainer Antonio Sano. He was replaced by part-time jockey and full-time exercise rider Sylvia Zapico, who guided Simplification through quick splits of 22.56 and 34.23 before allowing him to gallop out six furlongs in 1:12.20.

“It was very impressive,” Sano said. “He worked fast and the gallop-out was excellent.”

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Simplification was the expected pacesetter in the Holy Bull, but he had to alter tactics following a slow start. He rallied to a game second-place finish behind White Abarrio in the first of three important Kentucky Derby preps here this winter.

“We’ll see how the pace of the race looks in the next one, but the good news is now the horse has proved he can run in front or from behind,” said Sano.

Among the other potential Fountain of Youth candidates to work here Saturday were Tiz the Bomb, a swift half-mile in 46.97, out five panels in 100.40 and finishing full of run over main track; the Dale Romans-trained duo of Howling Time and Giant Game, who went four furlongs in 46.65 and 48.48, respectively; and Tiz the Bomb’s stablemate Rattle N Roll, five-eighths in 59.96.

On Sunday, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. sent out A. P.’s Secret to work a sizzling five furlongs in 58.39 before he eased up on the gallop-out. He had the blinkers back on this week after working without blinkers in his previous two drills.

Joseph also trains White Abarrio, who has not worked back since his easy victory in the Holy Bull. Plans are for him to bypass the Fountain of Youth and await the Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 2.