Unbeaten colts Mohaymen, Awesome Banner could clash in Fountain of Youth

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported Sunday morning from his Palm Meadows base that all was well with Mohaymen in the aftermath of the Shadwell Stable colt’s smashing victory the previous day in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Making his 3-year-old debut, Mohaymen left little doubt that he is the leading East Coast contender for the May 7 Kentucky Derby – and surely sparked speculation that he might now even be the overall division leader – when he cruised to a 3 1/2-length victory over Greenpointcrusader. He earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He’s a special colt,” said McLaughlin.

Mohaymen, a gray colt by Tapit, is now unbeaten in four career starts. He is all but certain to run next in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes here Feb. 27, which has Shadwell racing managers seeking a different spot for their other promising 3-year-old, Shagaf, winner of a Friday allowance at Gulfstream.

Meanwhile, one of the challengers for Mohaymen in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth could be the speedy Awesome Banner, who also stayed unbeaten Saturday when getting a 94 Beyer with a dominant triumph in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes at seven furlongs. Trainer Stanley Gold is not yet committed to the Fountain of Youth but agreed it is a logical progression. Gold also will consider Fellowship, third at 40-1 in the Holy Bull, for the Fountain of Youth.

The other three stakes winners Saturday at Gulfstream also will be pointed for Feb. 27 races here. They are: Forward Gal winner Cathryn Sophia (91 Beyer), back in the Grade 2 Davona Dale; Sweetest Chant winner Pricedtoperfection (77 Beyer), back in the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride; and Kitten’s Joy winner J R’s Holiday (84 Beyer), back in the Grade 3 Palm Beach.