The Fountain of Youth 2026

 Saturday past marked the final running of The Gotham Stakes for 3 year olds at Aqueduct. To mark that, NYRA post a video of Secretariat running the race in 1972.

What struck one is the balance and strength of Secretariat in his strides. Confirmation bias? I don't know. But you don't seem many such runners.

I didn't find this Gotham or its winner too enthralling. Time will tell. It's early.

This weekend saw the real start of Derby Trail Preps. Besides the Gotham, we saw the Rebel and Fountain of Youth all being held. 

The winner of the Fountain of Youth did have a starling good look to him - even a bit like last year's horse of the year, Sovereignty, as he made his way around the course.

I heartily agree with HorseRacingNations verdict: Commandment is a sizable colt with the scope and pedigree to suggest that 1 1/4 miles should be within range. He travels smoothly, without excessive knee action or paddling (winging), and his stride is efficient, the kind that holds up as distances stretch out.

In the Fountain of Youth, he drifted out slightly in the stretch but it was to engage Chief Wallabee, not for lack of focus. Chief Wallabee came at him with determination, yet Commandment never gave the impression that he was going to be passed. A few strides before the wire, he put his ears up, confident that Chief Wallabee wasn’t going to get by.

Wallabee in only his xx start diin the race d look promising. One can only repeat: It's early for Derby dreams.