Tipsheet: 2026 Fountain of Youth Stakes
Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
February 26th, 2026
An outstanding group of 10 three-year-old prospects will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Gulfstream Park main oval in Saturday’s $425,000 Fountain of Youth (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis.
Fountain of Youth Stakes Picks
- #7 Napoleon Solo
- #4 Commandment
- #6 Chief Wallabee
- #1 Jackson Hole
Fountain of Youth Stakes Wagers
Fountain of Youth Stakes Contenders
#1 JACKSON HOLE: $1.3 million son of Nyquist hasn’t done much wrong to date, with a pair of facile wins in advance of his stakes debut. The Todd Pletcher pupil handled his two-turn test with ease at Fair Grounds last time out, and he will receive a ground-saving trip in this event with John Velazquez in the irons.
#2 ROCKIES BALBOA: Talented sophomore from the Dale Romans shedrow has won two races in succession at the meeting and gets a major class test today. The son of Girvin will be sent from the break by Luis Saez.
#4 COMMANDMENT: Impressive Mucho Macho Man S. hero from the barn of Brad Cox will make his two-turn debut on Saturday and is a surefire win threat in the deep and talented field. The $500,000 Into Mischief colt has improved with each lifetime run to date and has trained steadily in preparation for his first graded appearance, as well. Irad retains the ride.
#5 BRAVARO: Holy Bull (G3) second has moved forward in every try to date for Saffie Joseph and figures to be moving well late in a field with a lot of early speed in the mix. New York-bred son of Upstart is not far off from the top runners in this group and wouldn’t be a surprise with Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups.
.@BeemieAwards is joined by Gulfstream Park television analyst @samanthagperry to talk Fountain of Youth, her career in broadcasting and as a jockey, and much more! 🏇
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 26, 2026
🎧 Listen here: https://t.co/bcFQjaOPCr pic.twitter.com/QI1tXI71tn
#6 CHIEF WALLABEE: Second timer from the Mott shedrow lacks the experience of his foes but sure looked like a good one when winning at first asking on the course at seven panels on Jan. 10. The Constitution homebred is cut out to love the added ground in the feature, and he has the look of a very good prospect with a high ceiling. Junior Alvarado will be in the silks once again.
#7 NAPOLEON SOLO: Top pick was dominant in two runs in 2025, capped by a romp in the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct. The son of Liam’s Map has been training in a very swift fashion at Palm Meadows leading up to his three-year-old bow, and I expect him to be a formidable foe every step of the way with Kendrick Carmouche in the irons.
#8 BULL BY THE HORNS: The second of three from the barn of Saffie Joseph checked in third in an allowance contest at Tampa Bay Downs last time out and will need a major leap forward to upset this fine group. Others have more appeal to me.
#10 SOLITUDE DUDE: Unbeaten son of Yaupon earned a hefty 104 Brisnet Late Pace number going seven-eighths in the Swale S. on the strip last time and will be a major factor with even slight improvement on the class rise on this occasion. The Joseph pupil is very quick from the gate and could be well placed turning for home with top pilot Flavien Prat in the stirrups.
#11 LOST MONEY: Street Sense colt is a maiden after three career runs and was also assigned the widest post in the cast. The Juan Arias trainee appears overmatched against this group.
