Albaugh Family Stables LLC’s Dennis’ Moment breezed a half-mile Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a highly anticipated 2020 debut in Saturday’s $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2).
The 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, a prep for the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream March 28, will headline a program with nine graded stakes, including the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2), $200,000 Davona Dale (G2) and the $200,000 Mac Diarmida (G2).
The Dale Romans-trained Dennis’ Moment was timed by Daily Racing Form’s clocker in 48.02 seconds after covering four furlongs under Tammy Fox.
”I thought it went perfect. It was just what we were looking for from his last work,” Romans said. “I told Tammy, ‘Just break him off at the half-mile pole and just sit on him and don’t do a thing.’ He got 47-and-a-couple, galloped out strong and looked good to me.”
Flavien Prat is scheduled to ride the son of Tiznow for the first time in the Fountain of Youth.
Dennis’ Moment hasn’t run since finishing off the board in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 1, when he lost all chance while stumbling badly and going to his knees following the start.
The Kentucky-bred colt, who was purchased for $400,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, was the recipient of bad luck in his debut at Churchill Downs in June when he lost his rider after clipping heels shortly after the start. He broke his maiden in spectacular fashion in his second career start July 27 at Ellis Park, scoring a 19 ¼-length triumph after running seven furlongs in 1:21.95. The Kentucky-bred colt came right back to win the Sept. 14 Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs by 1 ¾ lengths in his first start around two turns.
Jim Bakke and Gerry Isbister’s Mr Freeze, the runner-up in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) presented by Runhappy at Gulfstream Jan. 25, is likely to run next in Saturday’s Gulfstream Park Mile after working ‘great’ Sunday morning.
The Romans-trained 5-year-old son of To Honor and Serve breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20, according to the DRF clocker.
“He did great. That was something for him to work like he did today,” Romans said. “He looked really good doing it. I was on the fence about running him next Saturday, but right now I’m leaning that way.”
Undefeated Tonalist‘s Shape, who captured the Forward Gal (G3) last time out, breezed five furlongs in company at Gulfstream Park Sunday. Prepping for Saturday’s Davona Dale, the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained 3-year-old daughter of Tonalist covered the distance in 1:00.80.
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