Dennis’ Moment ‘Perfect’ in Last Work for Fountain of Youth (G2)

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Albaugh Family Stables LLC’s Dennis’ Moment breezed a half-mile Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a highly anticipated 2020 debut in Saturday’s $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2).

The 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, a prep for the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream March 28, will headline a program with nine graded stakes, including the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2), $200,000 Davona Dale (G2) and the $200,000 Mac Diarmida (G2).

The Dale Romans-trained Dennis’ Moment was timed by Daily Racing Form’s clocker in 48.02 seconds after covering four furlongs under Tammy Fox.

”I thought it went perfect. It was just what we were looking for from his last work,” Romans said. “I told Tammy, ‘Just break him off at the half-mile pole and just sit on him and don’t do a thing.’ He got 47-and-a-couple, galloped out strong and looked good to me.”

Flavien Prat is scheduled to ride the son of Tiznow for the first time in the Fountain of Youth.

Dennis’ Moment hasn’t run since finishing off the board in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 1, when he lost all chance while stumbling badly and going to his knees following the start.

The Kentucky-bred colt, who was purchased for $400,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, was the recipient of bad luck in his debut at Churchill Downs in June when he lost his rider after clipping heels shortly after the start. He broke his maiden in spectacular fashion in his second career start July 27 at Ellis Park, scoring a 19 ¼-length triumph after running seven furlongs in 1:21.95. The Kentucky-bred colt came right back to win the Sept. 14 Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs by 1 ¾ lengths in his first start around two turns.