Fountain of Youth Comments

Here are a few comments from trainers and jockeys after the Fountain of Youth

Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer, Soldat - "When he drew the one post we decided he had to go to the lead. That doesn't mean we might not have another strategy in the future (depending on the draw). It's on to the Florida Derby now. He's always done everything right and today we got the fast track we wanted. The timing of the program here is perfect for us - five weeks from now to the Florida Derby (April 3) and another five weeks to the Kentucky Derby (May 7)."

Bill Mott, trainer, To Honor and Serve - "He (jockey John Velazquez) liked his race. He said he did everything he asked until he got to the quarter pole and then he said he got a little flat. I can imagine he might have needed the race. If he got beat I thought he might carry (Velazquez) a little more into the stretch. It looks like he needed the race. John compared him to the horse he rode and won the Davona Dale (R Heat Lightning). The first time down here she was a little flat and she came back and ran big today."

John Velazquez, jockey, To Honor and Serve "I thought he ran very well. He settled in really well going down the backside. He ranged up to the leader on the far turn and finished well, just didn't have the closing kick he usually does. I think, off the layoff, that is to be expected. Overall, I thought he ran terrific."

Belmont News....What there is of it....

Jockey Calvin Borel continues to spend lots of time in the national spotlight this week as he has done a slew of television interviews from his home base in Louisville, including the Today Show this morning.

However the picture is still fuzzy about who he might ride in the Belmont Stakes. Borel's first choice is still super filly Rachel Alexandra but there has been no decision made yet about her next start.

Meanwhile, the connections for Derby winner Mine That Bird insist that they will make a decision in the "next couple of days." If they are true to their word, that may keep Borel off Mine That Bird.

Of course, there is still the possibility that the "Bird Crew" could follow the same scenario as they did before the Preakness; give Borel the chance to ride Mine That Bird while waiting out Rachel Alexandra's fate. At the same time, they would have a "backup rider" ready if Rachel does try the one-mile-and-a-half "Test of Champions."

Mine That Bird was back on the Churchill Downs oval training for the first time since the Preakness and Rachel will follow suit tomorrow morning.

The only other news was a definite decision for Belmont contender Charitable Man will come on Wednesday. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin indicated that his colt is likely to run but would confer with the owners again to make their final choice.

The son of 1999 Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid has won 3 of 4 starts including the Peter Pan Stakes two weeks at Belmont. His only loss came on the "artificial dirt" at Keeneland in April and is a perfect 2-for-2 at Belmont.