Reigning juvenile champion Forte can validate himself as a major contender for the Kentucky Derby when he leaves the starting gate in the 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park outside of Miami. Despite not having run since November, the Todd Pletcher-trained Forte is second in the Kentucky Derby future odds, behind only Arabian Knight. For Saturday Forte is the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes odds. Champagne Stakes winner Blazing Sevens is second in the odds at 7-2 in the 10-horse Fountain of Youth Stakes 2023 field, while General Jim is third in the odds at 6-1.
The 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes post time is 5:43 p.m. ET for this $400,000 race. With several lightly raced 3-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what racing insider and Beyer Speed Figure maker Bob Weir has to say before making any 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes picks.
A member of the Beyer Speed Figure-making team who is based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Weir is a two-time qualifier for the prestigious National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. He has produced multiple five-figure days at the track over the years, including a $60,000 Pick 6 at Del Mar in 2014.
Last year he was red-hot in the Triple Crown prep races, hitting the superfecta in the Blue Grass Stakes, the trifecta in the Louisiana Derby and exactas in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby. He also hit the 19-1 winner of the Man o' War Stakes, the trifecta in the Pegasus World Cup, the superfecta in the Met Mile and multiple Pick 4s, including May 14's at Belmont for $1,851. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, he has handicapped the 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes lineup, made his picks and constructed his bets. Go to SportsLine to see them.
Top 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes predictions
One surprise: Weir has not made Forte his top pick even though he is the 7-5 morning-line favorite. A son of budding sire Violence, Forte has four wins in five career starts. He is best known for winning the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November, which propelled him to the champion 2-year-old colt Eclipse award.
But Weir knows that the connections of Forte are aiming to have the horse ready to win the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby and not necessarily Saturday's Fountain of Youth Stakes. "Can he still win if he's only 80% to 90% cranked for his return?" Weir asks. "Maybe, but he's going to be a strong favorite. This is a good spot to take him on." See Weir's picks at SportsLine.
How to make 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes picks
Instead, Weir's top pick is a "wild card" who faces a "big ask" on Saturday. Weir also is high on two double-digit longshots "running well." He's sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.
So who wins the Fountain of Youth Stakes 2023? What double-digit longshots are must-backs? And how has Weir constructed his wagers? Check out the latest Fountain of Youth Stakes odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Weir's picks for the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes odds
| Prg # | Horse | Odds | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Jim | 6-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 2 | Legacy Isle | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 3 | Shadow Dragon | 12-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 4 | Forte | 7-5 | SEE PICKS |
| 5 | Il Miracolo | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 6 | Blazing Sevens | 7-2 | SEE PICKS |
| 7 | Mage | 8-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 8 | Rocket Can | 8-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 9 | Cyclone Mischief | 12-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 10 | Dangerous Ride | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
