Burning Sevens Square at Forte, Fountain of Youth

November 4, 4 months after Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) victory Keenelandchampion Forte is able to proceed the race.

After a deliberate refresh earlier than hitting the Kentucky Derby (G1) path, in 2022 the Eclipse Award Winner 2-year-old returns with the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Income (G2). Gulfstream Park 4 March.

Regardless of his intimidating presence, 9 extra 3-year-olds are on the roster, together with his prime guess winner buddy. Burning Sevens capturing the one-mile Champagne Stakes (G1) Aqueduct Racetrack last year. Second, he chased Forte in vain at BC Juvenile and finished fourth behind him after breaking heavily.

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Drink tea Violence colt, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Repole Stable and St. 4v5 for Elias Stable and also caught Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Hopeful Stakes (G1) in Keeneland. Saratoga Racewayand a maiden race Belmont Park. His only defeat was fourth place in the Sanford Stakes (G3) at Saratoga in his second outing.

After recording six breezes on the Palm Beach Downs since mid-January, he ramped up his pace in his final practice sessions to the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth and covered five long distances at 1:01.41 on February 18 and the same distance. 1:01.99 on February 25. The Palm Meadows surface is more strenuous than the dirt road in Gulfstream Park.

He is back!!!!! 💪🏽

Forte, Repole Stable, St.Elias Stable and @PletcherRace within the coming weeks @GulfstreamPark Fountain of youth. @iradortiz shall be on board!!!!!

Video: Forte outdoors pic.twitter.com/Yi4GNKjacJ

– Repole Secure (@RepoleStable) February 23, 2023

“Final week was a job the place we wished to verify we had been on track. We did job with him. We did job (Saturday), however after final week, we did not anticipate him to do it both.” very,” mentioned Pletcher. “We’re on schedule and we predict we’re the place we wish to be.”

Common driver Irad Ortiz Jr. has turn out to be the 7-5 a.m. favourite.

Pletcher plans to offer Forte two prep resulting in the Could 6 Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downswill doubtless kick off on the April 1 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream or the April 8 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Forte is 2v2 when competing within the 1st grades at Keeneland.

The muse Forte earned in 2 “gave us a while to clean up for him. With that type of spice, I hope I am very comfy within the two races main as much as the Derby,” mentioned Pletcher. “We approached it from varied angles and felt this was the fitting path for him. Up to now every part has gone as deliberate. I hope it stays that method.”

The Fountain of Youth supplies qualifying factors on a scale of 50-20-15-10-5 to the highest 5 finishers within the Derby.

Forte’s successes final yr earned him 40 qualifying factors, which is sufficient to qualify for the weird state of affairs of the Derby, even when he did not win any extra on the way in which to the race. Churchill Downs officers use the factors to advertise their race and as a choice system when exceeding the utmost area dimension of 20 horses.

Pletcher has produced three Fountains of Youth winners—itaknockout (2016), Alexandria (2010) and Scat Daddy (2007). The latter gave the coach considered one of his report six wins within the Florida Derby.

The Blazing Sevens (16 Kentucky Derby factors) and others want factors extra within the Fountain of Youth, which, like the opposite 1 1/16-mile races at Gulfstream, has a brief distance to the primary of two turns and finishes the place it needs to be. usually the sixteenth pole. This setup is required as a result of the Gulfstream mainline has a circumference of 1 1/8 miles.

Rodeo Creek Racing’s Blazing Sevens took half in a primary race in Saratoga along with Champagne final yr, successful two of 4 begins for coach Chad Brown. However he misplaced each occasions he confronted Forte, ending third on a sloppy monitor within the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, and controlling 5 1/4 toes from behind on a quick floor within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Photograph: Chad B. Harmon

The Blazing Sevens pause to soak up the sights throughout morning follow in the direction of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup in Keeneland

He trains at Payson Park till his opening at 3 with a coaching schedule much like Forte’s.

Joel Rosario drives the second favorite, 7-2.

The race options the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner, Rocket Can. into mischief Skilled by Corridor of Famer Invoice Mott. 8-1 on the morning line.

“The primary race right here wasn’t that arduous for him and he appears to be recovering fairly effectively,” mentioned Mott. “Usually the primary race will tire them out a bit, but it surely seems to be like he is coming again effectively, so I hope he goes somewhat additional.”

Different Holy Bull members on the Fountain of Youth as second place shadow dragon fourth place Outdated Island and seventh row Hurricane Mischief . Legacy Isle is racing off the flasher.

Different notable entries prolong the gap, together with the Swale Stakes (G3) winner Basic Jim and the superior first winner Wizard . Each are popping out of seven lengthy races.