Dornoch eyes Ky. Derby, wins what’s left of Fountain of Youth

Afterthe scratching of his toughest rivals, Dornoch was barely tested Saturday atGulfstream Park, leading at every call to win by about 1 1/2 lengths in theGrade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile points prep forKentucky Derby 2024.

Sentoff at 1-5 odds, the Good Magic colt who is a full brother to 2023 KentuckyDerby winner Mage took the lead early in the first turn and needed only a handride from jockey Luis Sáez to hold off an attempt at a late challenge by Le DomBro (25-1) in the homestretch.

Le DomBro finished second, Frankie’s Empire (5-1) third, Real Macho (5-1) and DancingGroom (12-1) last. With only five horses left from an original field of nine3-year-olds, they all were awarded Kentucky Derby 2024 qualifying points on a50-25-15-10-5 basis. With the win, Dornoch all but certainly clinched his place in the run for the roses May 4.

Dornoch,who is trained by Danny Gargan for owners West Paces Racing, Randy Hill, BelmarRacing, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables, was clocked at 1:43.64 on thefast main track after setting early fractions of 24.39, 48.14, 1:11.43 and1:36.95. He paid $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10; Le Dom Bro $7.40 and $3.40; andFrankie’s Empire $2.60.

TheFountain of Youth began to fall apart early with the scratch of morning-linesecond choice Locked, who did not satisfy trainer Todd Pletcher with hismovement Saturday morning, according to Daily Racing Form. Hisstablemate Speak Easy, an impressive debut winner on last month’s Pegasus WorldCup undercard, was scratched after he got loose from rider Irad Ortiz Jr.during the post parade. He was diagnosed with some cuts after hitting the railin the quarter-mile chute before he was collared. Speak Easy carried 6-5 oddsas the second choice at the time he was scratched.