Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Fountain of Youth Stakes 2025

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Kentucky Derby Prep Races Betting Odds

Breaking Down the Field for the 2025 Fountain of Youth Stakes

The road to the Kentucky Derby makes another key stop this weekend with the Grade 2, $415,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. As one of the Kentucky Derby Prep Races, this 1 1/16-mile event will award 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points to the top five finishers. The race has drawn a competitive field of eight, featuring multiple stakes winners and promising newcomers looking to establish themselves on the Derby trail.

With the Kentucky Derby odds starting to take shape, this race will be a crucial opportunity for contenders to prove they belong at the highest level. The Fountain of Youth is the second of three stops on Gulfstream Park’s path to Churchill Downs. Many bettors will look at this field for insights into Kentucky Derby betting, as several runners could take a significant step forward in their careers.

Burnham Square and Sovereignty Bring Proven Class

Two horses in the field have already secured victories on the Derby trail, making them key contenders. Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, last raced in October, winning the Grade 3 Street Sense at Churchill Downs by five lengths. That performance earned him 10 Derby points and solidified his reputation as a late-running threat. After a four-month layoff, he will be making his 3-year-old debut with Junior Alvarado in the irons.

Burnham Square enters off a victory in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream last month. The Ian Wilkes trainee showed versatility by stalking the pace before finishing strong, a style that should serve him well as he stretches out in distance. Edgard Zayas retains the mount as he looks to add to his 20 Derby points.

River Thames Looks to Remain Undefeated

Todd Pletcher sends out the undefeated River Thames, who has been dominant in two starts at Gulfstream. After breaking his maiden in January by nearly five lengths, he returned three weeks later and won a mile allowance race by more than six lengths. His speed figures suggest he is ready for this step up in class, and with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard, he looks like a serious contender.

Gate to Wire is another intriguing Pletcher runner who has shown improvement. He was a dominant winner of the Swale Stakes last month, posting one of the best speed figures in the field. He will need to prove he can handle the two-turn distance, but his recent form suggests he has a chance to upset the more established stakes winners.

Other Contenders and Live Long Shots

Several others in the field have shown potential but must step up against tougher competition. Neoequos, a Florida-bred trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., has two wins and two runner-up finishes in five career starts. He was an easy front-running winner of an allowance race last time out and could be dangerous if allowed to control the pace.

McKellen and Solid Left are both entered in an allowance race earlier in the week, making their status uncertain. If they run in the Fountain of Youth, both would need to show significant improvement to contend against this level of competition. Keep It Easy, a stakes winner at Churchill Downs, is making his first start of the year and will stretch out beyond one turn for the first time.

Fountain of Youth Betting Outlook

Seven of the eight horses in this field won their most recent start, making this one of the most competitive prep races. While Sovereignty and Keep It Easy bring back class from last season, history has shown that horses making their first start of the year can struggle on the Derby trail.

Burnham Square and River Thames come into the race in strong form, and their recent success makes them the horses to beat. River Thames, in particular, has been impressive, and this will be a critical test to see if he can handle stricter competition. Bettors looking for value should consider Neoequos or Gate to Wire, both of whom have upside.

With Kentucky Derby betting heating up, the Fountain of Youth will provide key insights into which horses emerge as genuine contenders. Be sure to visit our racebook for the latest odds and expert picks.