Three Rules among workers for Fountain of Youth Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – With the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth only two weeks away, prospective contenders were active at training venues throughout south Florida on Saturday, most notably at Gulfstream Park, where Three Rules and the Peruvian hopeful Huracan Americo both turned in their penultimate works for the important Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby prep.

Working just before the first renovation break over a tiring racetrack, Three Rules breezed an easy five furlongs in 1:01.67, his final quarter in 24.95 seconds, before galloping out six panels in 1:15.28. The work was the first for Three Rules since his second-place finish in the seven-furlong Swale Stakes two weeks ago.

“It was just a maintenance work,” said trainer Jose Pinchin. “He just galloped around. The track is dry, very cuppy; it needs rain badly. But he handled it real nice. I might have him do a little more next week, although he’s very fit. I’m really looking forward to the Fountain of Youth since it will tell us if we go forward [on the Derby trail] or look someplace else.”

Huracan Americo had his most serious work since arriving locally, going a mile in 1:41 immediately after the break with Edgar Prado aboard. The winner of the 1 1/2-mile Derby Nacional in Peru at 2, he completed his final five furlongs in 1:03.63 under steady urging down the stretch.

“He started out a bit quick but finished strong,” said trainer Dante Zanelli. “Edgar is still getting to know him. He got a lot out of this work today. We were very pleased.”

Zanelli said Huracan Americo we’ll work out of the gate here next Sunday in his final prep for the Fountain of Youth.

“I’d rather the Fountain of Youth were a mile and one-eighth rather than a mile and one-sixteenth because distance is his ally. The longer, the better for him,” said Zanelli. “We could run him a mile and one-eighth in an allowance race next Friday, but we came here to run against the best, and we’d like to try to get some Derby points before moving on to the Florida Derby.”

Zanelli also worked another 3-year-old, Captain Grider, four furlongs in 50.40 here Saturday. The lightly raced son of Astrology won his debut going 4 1/2 furlongs last spring at Keeneland before finishing well back in two stakes tries.

“He also needs more distance,” said Zanelli. “He had six works in Ocala prior to coming here, and we’ll give him a stronger work next week with Jaramillo [Emisael] aboard. He’s also not out of the question for the Fountain of Youth.”

At Gulfstream Park West, Holy Bull runner-up Gunnevera also got back to serious action on Saturday, working five furlongs in 1:01 under jockey Edgard Zayas.

“He’s a very happy horse,” said trainer Antonio Sano. “He went very easily, very handily. I had him galloping out in 1:14.”

Although Zayas regularly works Gunnevera, Javier Castellano has been aboard in three of his last four starts, including the Holy Bull.

At Palm Beach Downs, trainer Todd Pletcher worked several potential Fountain of Youth starters on Saturday, including Always Dreaming, Made You Look, and Sonic Mule.

“Right now, I have to discuss our options with the owners,” said Pletcher. “At the moment, all I can say is that we’re keeping our eye on the race and will probably run something.”

• Paco Lopez had another big day Friday, winning five races to move within five victories of Luis Saez, who continues to sit atop the jockey standings with 67 tallies entering Saturday’s card.

Lopez concluded his five-bagger by guiding Yourdreamsormine home on top for trainer Milt Wolfson in the afternoon’s main event, a $49,000 optional-claiming/allowance dash at six furlongs.

“I know this horse very well because he gave me my 2,000th winner earlier in the meet,” said Lopez.