Dennis' Moment 'Perfect' Ahead of Fountain of Youth

Albaugh Family Stables' Dennis' Moment breezed a half-mile Feb. 23 at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a highly anticipated 2020 debut in the Feb. 29 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).

The 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, a prep for the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream a month later, will headline a program with nine graded stakes, including the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2), Davona Dale Stakes (G2), and the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T).

The Dale Romans-trained Dennis' Moment was clocked in :48.05 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 Nov. 1 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park when he lost all chance after stumbling badly and going to his knees at the start.

The Kentucky-bred colt, who was purchased for $400,000 at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale in New York, also had 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 start July 27 at Ellis Park, winning by 19 1/4 lengths and running seven furlongs in 1:21.95. He came back to win the Sept. 14 Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs by 1 3/4 lengths in his first start around two turns.

Jim Bakke and Gerry Isbister's Mr Freeze, the runner-up in the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) at Gulfstream, is likely to run in the Gulfstream Park Mile after a strong work Sunday morning.

The Romans-trained 5-year-old son of To Honor and Serve breezed five furlongs in 1:00.25 and was fourth-fastest of 37 at the distance.

"He did great. That was something for him to work like he did today," Romans said. "He looked really good doing it. I was on the fence about running him next Saturday, but right now I'm leaning that way."

Undefeated Tonalist's Shape, who won the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) last time out, breezed five furlongs in company. Prepping for the Davona Dale, the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained 3-year-old Tonalist  filly covered the distance in 1:00.85.

August Dawn Farm's Three Technique, who is pointing for the March 14 Rebel Stakes (G2), also returned to the work tab Sunday morning at Oaklawn Park for trainer Jeremiah Englehart, covering five furlongs over a fast track in 1:02 under exercise rider Marquel Lemon. Three Technique, who breezed in company after the second surface renovation break, galloped out six furlongs in 1:16 2/5. 

The son of Mr Speaker  finished second in his most recent start, the Jan. 24 Smarty Jones Stakes, Oaklawn's first of four Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) points races. The colt has a record of two wins and three seconds from five starts.