HALLANDALE BEACH - On a day that showcased Triple Crown contenders, Read the Footnotes provided the big finish.
The colt won a stirring duel Saturday, overtaking favorite Second of June a few strides from the wire in the Grade II, $250,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
"Neither horse wanted to lose," winning jockey Jerry Bailey said. "I've got to credit my horse a lot for reaching down and finding more."
The rematch likely will come at the same track March 13 in the $1-million Florida Derby, but it might not be a two-colt race. Several other 3-year-olds enhanced their reputations with strong showings earlier, including allowance winners Birdstone, Swingforthefences and Value Plus.
New York-bred Read the Footnotes covered the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:42 3/5 to lead a field of eight. He trailed by less than a length on the outside as he chased Second of June around the far turn and through the stretch before surging at the sixteenth pole to win by a neck. The winner paid $6.20, $3.20 and $2.20. Second of June was second by 71/2 lengths and paid $2.60 and $2.20.
Read the Footnotes, owned by Klaravich Stables, won for the fifth time in six starts. The race was his first since winning the Remsen in November.
Trainer Richard Violette and Bailey also had a winner in Swingforthefences, which won by 51/4 lengths in a $34,000 allowance.
Birdstone won a $36,000 allowance by three 3 lengths, covering the 1-mile, 70-yard distance in 1:42 2/5. Value Plus won a $34,000 allowance by 53/4 lengths. He ran 7 furlongs in 1:21 2/5. Limestone overtook Deputy Storm in the stretch to win the $150,000, Grade II Hutcheson Stakes, covering 7 furlongs in 1:22 1/5.
The most dominating performance among the 3-year-olds was by a filly, Madcap Escapade, who won the 6-furlong Old Hat Stakes by 113/4 lengths.
SILVERBULLETDAY STAKES: Shadow Cast rallied in the stretch to overtake Quick Temper and win the $150,000 race at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Shadow Cast covered 1-1/16 miles in 1:46.82 over a sloppy track. Movant, the 2-1 favorite among the 3-year-old fillies, finished fifth in a field of six.
DEARLY PRECIOUS STAKES: Among My Souvenirs stayed undefeated in three career starts with a 11/2-length win over Bohemian Lady in the $81,425 race for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct in New York. She covered 6 furlongs in 1:11 3/5 for Peter G. Angelos, who also owns the Baltimore Orioles.
LA CANADA STAKES: Cat Fighter, ridden by Alex Solis and trained by Bob Baffert, gave up the lead then rallied in the stretch to beat Fencelineneighbor by a head in the $200,000 race at Santa Anita.
