Mohaymen posts final major move for Fountain of Youth

Edited Press Release

Undefeated multiple Grade 2 winner Mohaymen had his final breeze Friday morning for the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) on February 27 at Gulfstream Park.

The gray son of Tapit worked an easy half-mile in :49.60 over the fast main track at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

Regular exercise rider Miguel Jaime was up for the work, Mohaymen’s second since opening his sophomore season with a commanding 3 1/2-length victory in the Holy Bull (G2) on January. 30.

Last week, the Shadwell Stable colorbearer went a half-mile in :47.75 seconds, the fastest of 31 horses.

“We know he’s fast, but we don’t need :47’s every week,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He went great. He started out a little slow, going :13 and 3 the first eighth of a mile and finished (three furlongs) in :35 and 4 and kept going after it.

“We don’t need to go fast every week. He looked great doing it and galloped out well, (five furlongs) in 1:01 and 3. All is well. We’re ready for next week.”

Mohaymen improved to 4-0 with his Holy Bull victory, which followed Grade 2 wins in the Nashua and Remsen at Aqueduct to close his juvenile season last November. Only one of his five opponents from the Holy Bull, third place finisher Fellowship, is expected to return in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull.

Other horses pointing to Gulfstream’s final prep for the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on April 2 are Awesome Banner, three-for-three lifetime with romping wins in the Hutcheson (G3) and Swale (G2); Awesome Speed, winner of three straight capped by the Mucho Macho Man S. on January 2; and recent Gulfstream allowance winners making their stakes debut, Cherry Wine and the unbeaten Zulu.

“The thing I worry about is post position. If there happen to be nine entered and we draw the nine hole it’s not ideal,” McLaughlin said. “But there’s some serious speed in the race so we should be able to sit back and sort through it and figure it out. We’ll know better at entry time.”

Mohaymen photo courtesy of Adam Coglianese Photography