Capt. Candyman Can tops Fountain of Youth field February 26th, 2009
Capt Candyman Can will be looking to sweeten his chances for a trip to the Kentucky Derby when the 3-year-old gelding takes on 11 rivals in Saturdays Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Trained by Ian Wilkes, Capt. Candyman Can comes into the 1-mile Fountain of Youth off last months victory in the Hutcheson Stakes. This time, an even tougher field awaits following Wednesdays post position draw.
Hutcheson runner-up Hello Broadway is be back for another chance, along with several stakes winners including Beethoven, Notonthesamepage, Taqarub and This Ones for Phil.
Beethoven, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club as a 2-year-old, attempts to rebound from a fourth-place finish in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream on Jan. 30.
Also entered were Bee Cee Cee, Theregoesjojo, Take the Points, Jack Spratt, Rocketing Returns, Break Water Edison and Quality Road.
Capt. Candyman Can drew the No. 9 post and will be ridden by Julien Leparoux.
Its shaped up nicely for us to make a serious run in the Fountain of Youth, Wilkes said. I expect him to run well no matter the circumstances.
Named for Sammy Davis Jr.s 1971 song The Candy Man by co-owner Dr. Joseph Rauch, Capt. Candyman Can broke his maiden by 7 lengths at Saratoga last year and has won three of five starts for earnings of $211,645.
Notonthesamepage, Taqarub and This Ones for Phil already have victories this year: Notonthesamepage took the Spectacular Bid at Gulfstream; Taqarub the Jimmy Winkfield at Aqueduct; and This Ones for Phil the Sunshine Millions Dash at Gulfstream.
The Grade 2 $250,000 Fountain of Youth is a prep for the $1 million Florida Derby on March 28. The Kentucky Derby is May 2.