| Class: | Grade II |
| Horse Race: | Fountain of Youth Stakes |
| Location: | Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida |
| Inaugurated: | 1945 |
| Race Type: | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Distance: | miles (furlongs) |
| Surface: | Dirt |
| Track: | left-handed |
| Qualification: | Three-year-olds |
| Weight: | 124 lbs. with allowances[1] |
| Purse: | $400,000 (since 2011)[2] |
| Bonuses: | Usually run in late February |
The Fountain of Youth Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida in late February. A Grade II event open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt, it currently offers a purse of $300,000. It is the final stakes prep to the Florida Derby and is an official prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The race was named for the mythical Florida spring that granted eternal youth. It was sought by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon who searched throughout the southeastern United States for it without success.
The race has long been a major prep for the Kentucky Derby, with multiple horses being victorious in both races. Four colts, Tim Tam (1958), Kauai King (1966), Spectacular Bid (1979) and Thunder Gulch (1995), won this race then went on to become "Dual Classic Winners," the first three winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, while the last won the Derby and the Belmont Stakes. The 1985 winner, Proud Truth, won that year's Breeders' Cup Classic. More recently, the race has been used as a prep for Derby winner Orb in 2013 and Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags in 2012.[3] [4]
Speed record:
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (Miles) (Furlongs) | Time | Gr. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Dornoch | Luis Saez | Danny Gargan | West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing & Breeding, LLC, Two Eight Racing, LLC, Pine Racing Stables | 1-1/6 M | 1:43.64 | G2 | ||
| 2023 | Forte | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable | 1-1/6 M | 1:43.12 | G2 | ||
| 2022 | Simplification | José Ortiz | Antonio Sano | Tami Dellatore-Bobo | 1-1/6 M | 1:44.04 | G2 | ||
| 2021 | Greatest Honour | José Ortiz | Claude R. McGaughey III | Courtlandt Farms (Donald & Donna Adam) | 1-1/6 M | 1:44.02 | G2 | ||
| 2020 | Ete Indien | Florent Geroux | Patrick Biancone | Linda Shanahan, Sanford Bacon, Dream With Me Stable, Horse France America, D P Racing & Patrick Biancone Racing | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.02 | G2 | ||
| 2019 | Code of Honor | John Velazquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | William S. Farish III | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.85 | G2 | ||
| 2018 | Promises Fulfilled | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Dale Romans | Robert J. Baron | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.17 | G2 | ||
| 2017 | Gunnevera | Javier Castellano | Antonio Sano | Peacock Racing Stables | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.25 | G2 | ||
| 2016 | Mohaymen | Junior Alvarado | Kiaran McLaughlin | Shadwell Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.84 | G2 | ||
| 2015 | Itsaknockout † | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf, m.p.) | 1-1/16 M | 1:46.28 | G2 | ||
| 2014 | Wildcat Red | Luis Saez | Jose Garoffalo | Honors Stable Corp. (Salvatore Delfino & Josie Martino) | 1-1/16 M | 1:41.85 | G2 | ||
| 2013 | Orb | John Velazquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | Stuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.24 | G2 | ||
| 2012 | Union Rags | Julien Leparoux | Michael Matz | Chadds Ford Stable (Phyllis Mills Wyeth) | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.68 | G2 | ||
| 2011 | Soldat | Alan Garcia | Kiaran McLaughlin | Harvey Clarke & W. Craig Robertson III | 1-1/8 M | 1:50.23 | G2 | ||
| 2010 | Eskendereya | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Zayat Stables | 1-1/8 M | 1:48.87 | G2 | ||
| 2009 | Quality Road | John Velazquez | James A. Jerkens | Edward P. Evans | 1 M | 1:35.01 | G2 | ||
| 2008 | Cool Coal Man | Kent Desormeaux | Nick Zito | Robert V. LaPenta | 1-1/8 M | 1:50.07 | G2 | ||
| 2007 | Scat Daddy | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | James T. Scatuorchio & Michael Tabor | 1-1/8 M | 1:49.11 | G2 | ||
| 2006 | First Samurai † | Edgar Prado | Frank L. Brothers | Bruce Lunsford & Lansdon B. Robbins III | 1-1/8 M | 1:49.00 | G2 | ||
| 2005 | High Fly | Jerry D. Bailey | Nick Zito | Live Oak Racing (Charlotte Weber) | 1-1/8 M | 1:49.70 | G2 | ||
| 2004 | Read the Footnotes | Jerry D. Bailey | Richard Violette | Klaravich Stables | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.71 | G2 | ||
| 2003 | Trust n Luck | Cornelio Velásquez | Ralph Ziadie | E. Paul Robsham | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.33 | G1 | ||
| 2002 | Booklet | Jorge Chavez | John T. Ward Jr. | John C. Oxley | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.49 | G1 | ||
| 2001 | Songandaprayer | Edgar Prado | John F. Dowd | Bobby Hurley | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.48 | G1 | ||
| 2000 | High Yield | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Michael Tabor & Bob & Beverly Lewis | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.56 | G1 | ||
| 1999 | Vicar | Shane Sellers | Carl Nafzger | James B. Tafel | 1-1/16 M | 1:45.64 | G1 | ||
| 1998 | Lil's Lad | Jerry D. Bailey | Neil J. Howard | Lillian Durst, William S. Farish III, Centennial Farm (Donald Little) | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.63 | G2 | ||
| 1997 | Pulpit | Shane Sellers | Frank L. Brothers | Claiborne Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:41.86 | G2 | ||
| 1996 | Built For Pleasure | Gary Boulanger | Tommy Heard Jr. | Tommy Heard Jr. | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.64 | G2 | ||
| 1995 | Thunder Gulch | Mike E. Smith | D. Wayne Lukas | Michael Tabor | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.21 | G2 | ||
| 1994 | Dehere | Craig Perret | Reynaldo Nobles | Due Process Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.70 | G2 | ||
| 1993-1 | Duc d'Sligovil | Julie Krone | Jeremy McNeill | Ray McNeill | 1-1/16 M | 1:45.16 | G2 | ||
| 1993-2 | Storm Tower | Rick Wilson | Benjamin W. Perkins Jr. | Charles Hesse | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.98 | G2 | ||
| 1992 | Dance Floor | Chris Antley | D. Wayne Lukas | Oaktown Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:45.32 | G2 | ||
| 1991 | Fly So Free | José A. Santos | Scotty Schulhofer | Tommy & Elizabeth Valando | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.30 | G2 | ||
| 1990 | Shot Gun Scott | Dave Penna | Ronald J. Sarazin | Jean Friedberg & A. Scott Hamilton | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.60 | G2 | ||
| 1989 | Dixieland Brass | Randy Romero | Charles Peoples | Bayard Sharp & William S. Farish III | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.60 | G2 | ||
| 1988 | Forty Niner | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Claiborne Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.20 | G2 | ||
| 1987 | Bet Twice | Craig Perret | Warren Croll | Blanche P. Levy & Cisley Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.40 | G2 | ||
| 1986-1 | Ensign Rhythm | Julio Pezua | Leo Azpurua Jr. | Lushland Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:45.60 | G2 | ||
| 1986-2 | My Prince Charming | José A. Santos | Newcomb Green | Don Aronow | 1-1/16 M | 1:45.00 | G2 | ||
| 1985 | Proud Truth | Jorge Velásquez | John M. Veitch | Darby Dan Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.60 | G2 | ||
| 1984 | Darn That Alarm | Mike Venezia | George Gianos | Robert N. Caporella | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.00 | G2 | ||
| 1983-1 | Highland Park | Don Brumfield | Anthony L. Basile | Bwamazon Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.60 | G2 | ||
| 1983-2 | Copelan | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Mitch Griffin | Fred W. Hooper | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.60 | G2 | ||
| 1982 | Star Gallant | Sandy Hawley | Leonard Imperio | Buckram Oak Farm (Mahmoud Fustok) | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.20 | G2 | ||
| 1981 | Akureyri | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Hickory Tree Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.40 | G3 | ||
| 1980 | Naked Sky | Jerry D. Bailey | Neal Winick | Maribel G. Blum | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.80 | G3 | ||
| 1979 | 'Spectacular Bid | Ron Franklin | Bud Delp | Hawksworth Farm (Harry & Teresa Meyerhoff) | 1-1/16 M | 1:41.20 | G3 | ||
| 1978 | Sensitive Prince | Mickey Solomone | H. Allen Jerkens | Top the Marc Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:41.00 | G3 | ||
| 1977 | Ruthies Native | Craig Perret | Eugene Jacobs | Ruth A. Perlmutter | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.00 | G3 | ||
| 1976 | Sonkisser | Braulio Baeza | Stephen DiMauro | Harold Snyder | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.80 | G3 | ||
| 1975 | Greek Answer | Mickey Solomone | Frank H. Merrill Jr. | W. Preston Gilbride | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.80 | G3 | ||
| 1974 | Green Gambados | Chuck Baltazar | John W. Jacobs | Harbor View Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.40 | G3 | ||
| 1973 | Shecky Greene | Braulio Baeza | Lou M. Goldfine | Joseph Kellman | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.80 | G3 | ||
| 1972 | Gentle Smoke | Walter Blum | David Sazer | Forus Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.00 | |||
| 1971 | Authorize | Jacinto Vasquez | John W. Russell | Fred W. Hooper | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.60 | |||
| 1970 | Corn off the Cob | Angel Cordero Jr. | Arnold N. Winick | Fence Post Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.60 | |||
| 1969 | Al Hattab | Ray Broussard | Warren A. Croll Jr. | Pelican Stable (Rachel Carpenter) | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.60 | |||
| 1968 | Wise Exchange | Eddie Belmonte | Hirsch Jacobs | Isidor Bieber | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.80 | |||
| 1967 | In Reality | Earlie Fires | Melvin Calvert | Frances A. Genter | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.40 | |||
| 1966 | Kauai King | Don Brumfield | Henry Forrest | Ford Stable (Michael Ford) | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.20 | |||
| 1965 | Maribeau | Sam Boulmetis | Joseph W. Mergler | Briardale Farm (Anthony Imbesi) | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.60 | |||
| 1964 | Dandy K | Mickey Solomone | Robert E. Wingfield | Cecil Carmine | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.80 | |||
| 1963 | Cool Prince | Jimmy Combest | Nick Combest | William G. Helis Jr. | 1-1/16 M | 1:45.80 | |||
| 1962 | Sharp Count | Bill Shoemaker | Lester G. Joffrion | Reverie Knoll Farm (Freeman Keyes) | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.20 | |||
| 1961 | Beau Prince | Eddie Arcaro | Jimmy Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.20 | |||
| 1960 | Eagle Admiral | Manuel Ycaza | Charles E. Whittingham | Llangollen Farm Stable | 1-1/16 M | 1:41.80 | |||
| 1959 | Easy Spur | Bill Hartack | Paul L. Kelley | Spring Hill Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:41.80 | |||
| 1958 | Tim Tam | Bill Hartack | Jimmy Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.80 | |||
| 1957 | Gen. Duke | Bill Hartack | Jimmy Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.00 | |||
| 1956 | Oh Johnny | Hedley Woodhouse | Norman R. McLeod | Wallace Gilroy | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.20 | |||
| 1955 | Nance's Lad | John Choquette | Hilton A. Dabson | Hilton A. Dabson & Chester J. Caithness | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.20 | |||
| 1954 | Sea O Erin | John H. Adams | Harry Trotsek | Hasty House Farm | 1-1/16 M | 1:48.60 | |||
| 1953-1 | Ram o' War | Douglas Dodson | Jerome J. Sarner Jr. | Bruce S. Campbell | 1-1/16 M | 1:42.60 | |||
| 1953-2 | Tribe | Bennie Green | James W. Healy | Vera S. Bragg | 1-1/16 M | 1:43.40 | |||
| 1952 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 1951 | Alerted | William M. Cook | James Penrod | Hampton Stable (Frank Stout) | 7 F | 1:24.20 | |||
| 1950 | Black George | Kenneth Church | R. Earl Barnett | William H. Veeneman | 7 F | 1:23.40 | |||
| 1949 | Count-a-Bit | Jack Robertson | George E. Roberts | Fred A. Blaser | 1-1/16 M | 1:44.20 | |||
| 1948 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 1947-1 | Tight Squeeze | Rocco Sisto | Merritt C. Buxton | Rarco Stable (Mary Robinson) | 6 F | 1:11.80 | |||
| 1947-2 | Atomic Power | Merritt A. Buxton | Merritt C. Buxton | Rarco Stable (Mary Robinson) | 1 M, 70 yds. | 1:40.60 | |||
| 1946 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 1945 | Twenty Thirty | Robert Watson | Cecil Howard | Harry C. Hatch | 1-1/16 M | 1:45.20 | |||