HALLANDALE, Fla. -- Lil's Lad took a big stride on the road to the Kentucky Derby with a convincing victory against Coronado's Quest in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

"I thought it was a great race," Neil Howard, who trains Lil's Lad, said Saturday after his 3-year-old won the $200,000 Grade II Fountain of Youth by 2 1/4 lengths.

"It was nice to see him under pressure and respond the way he did. He's got a great attitude, and I think that's what's going to take us a long way."

Lil's Lad, ridden by Jerry Bailey, won his first two starts this season -- both allowance races -- by 16½ and 6 1/4 lengths. Against a tough four-horse field, the son of Pine Bluff was tested entering the stretch, but Bailey used the whip a few times and Lil's Lad responded.

HE ALSO RESPONDED EARLY, TAKING the lead on the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Derby prep race.

"As soon as he got a half-length length ahead of Coronado's Quest, I could feel him let go a little of the bridle, and that's promising," Bailey said. "It tells me he's learning a lot."

Favored Lil's Lad covered the distance in 1:42 3-5 and paid $3.80 and $2.40. Coronado's Quest, with Mike Smith aboard, paid $2.40 to place. There was no show betting.

Halory Hunter, co-owned by Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino, made a late run to finish third, three-quarters of a length behind Coronado's Quest. Cape Town was last, more than eight lengths back.

"I think Coronado's Quest is a really good colt and we beat him pretty decisively today," Bailey said. "Right now I'd put Lil's Lad at the top of the class."

ALONG WITH FAVORITE TRICK, that is. The 1997 Horse of the Year and 2-year-old champion is set to open his 3-year-old campaign on March 14 in the Swale Stakes.

Coronado's Quest, trained by Shug McGaughey, made his run but was unable to catch Lil's Lad.

"He gave the winner seven pounds," McGaughey said. "This was his first race around two turns this year and he'll be a lot tougher next time."

Lil's Lad is set to go next in the Florida Derby, also on March 14 at Gulfstream. Coronado's Quest and Halory Hunter are also scheduled to run in the Florida Derby.

Owned by Lillian Durst, Will Farish and Donald Little, Lil's Lad has won four of six career starts and earned $265,400.

The small field was without a pair of talented colts forced to withdraw due to injury. Sweetsouthernsaint skipped the race because an inflammation in one of his legs. Dawson's Legacy, second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, pulled out with a high white blood cell count.