Fountain of Youth day at Gulfstream turned out to be not so much a coronation, but a confusion. Just when one hoped that the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks picture would be clarified, speed duels and disappointment ruled the day. In the Fountain of Youth S.-G2 itself, favored Juddmonte hero Hidden Scroll demonstrated little of the power that was expected of him, leaving Bill Mott scratching his head, and William Farish, squire of Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky, thrilled by the performance of his home-bred Code of Honor.
By Frankel’s brother Noble Mission, a young sire expected to have offspring successful on the grass, Code of Honor won the fifty points toward the Derby, insuring his starting post on the first Saturday in May. Hidden Scroll could only muster a fourth place.
Even more surprising was Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Jaywalk, the prohibitive favorite in the Davona Dale S.-G2, posting stunning early fractions before she faded, exhausted, to fourth as well, leaving a fifty to one shot, Jeltrin (Tapizar), who had been a $7000 yearling at the Keeneland September 2017 Sale, taking the win and earning her own spot in the Kentucky Oaks.
Before the race, all commentary focused on Jaywalk’s diminutive size, and her failure to grow into a strapping three-year-old since she was last seen. She was also the lightest filly in the race, weighing in at under 1000 pounds. Jason Servis bemoaned his inability to get her ready, and his belief that his Champion filly, at 80% of her potential, should have won the race.
So what happens now? We await the arrival of a colt and a filly to thrill us into believing. All we can presently know is that the Derby and the Oaks will take place. Which horses will be in that starting gate, and which will be favored, remains as much a mystery as the new season of Game of Thrones.
— Roberta Smoodin