Dornoch wins the Fountain of Youth (G2) March 2 at Gulfstream Park (Coglianese)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y.— West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables’ dual graded stakes-winner Dornoch had his first work back since the Kentucky Derby on May 4, covering a half-mile in 48.48 seconds Friday over Saratoga Race Course’s Oklahoma training track. The son of Good Magic is targeting the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on June 8 at the Spa.
Trained by Danny Gargan, Dornoch went in company with multiple stakes-winning New York-bred Ramblin’ Wreck, keeping on even terms with his workmate through to mid-stretch before drawing off easily and reaching the wire well in front. He continued to distance himself even further in the gallop out.
“It was good. I told them to go 49 and they went 48 and change,” said Gargan. “Three weeks after the Derby, I only want to work him twice. He did it pretty handily.”
Dornoch won the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct Racetrack and Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park en route to a fourth-place effort in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland and 10th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby where he drew the rail and was shuffled back at the half-mile call. He checked again at the quarter pole before running evenly down the lane to finish well back of the victorious Mystik Dan.
“He ran good in the Derby for the trip he had and he still fought,” said Gargan. “He wanted to run, he just couldn’t.”
Dornoch was a $325,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and is out of the graded stakes-placed Big Brown mare Puca, making him a full-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby-winner Mage.
