Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Gulfstream Park, Feb. 29, 2020 (50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth) Winner: Ete Indien, by Summer Front Trainer: Patrick Biancone Jockey: Florent Geroux Owner: Linda Shanahan, Sanford Bacon, Dream With Me Stable Inc., Horse France America, D P Racing LLC, and Patrick Biancone Beyer Speed Figure: 97 ETE INDIEN in his last start ran what most years would have been a winning race in the Holy Bull. Trouble was, he ran into Tiz the Law that day and had to settle for second. With Tiz the Law passing this race, and DENNIS’ MOMENT effectively passing with a dreadful performance, Ete Indien romped while earning a career-best Beyer figure. There were 12 originally entered in the race, with Ete Indien drawing post 11. One scratch inside him allowed him to start from post 10, which ended up being the outside stall owing to the defection of Chance It on race day. With an abrupt run to the first turn, Geroux rode Ete Indien like he did Gun Runner in the 2018 Pegasus World Cup. With a horse with speed, you have to be committed to the lead with an outside draw in 1 1/8-mile and 1 1/16-mile races at Gulfstream, and Geroux did exactly what was required under the circumstances. Ete Indien was hustled away from the gate and crossed over to near the rail while rolling through the opening quarter in 23.14 seconds, with GEAR JOCKEY prompting him from about a length away. After getting a mid-race breather, he widened on his outmatched opposition beginning on the far turn, had a daylight advantage coming off the bend while drifting to about the three path, and drew away through the stretch while continuing to drift out. He drifted sharply near the wire, where Geroux said he was startled by the bright lights that were turned on for the photo-finish camera owing to the late hour the race was run. Ete Indien still needs to prove he’s better than Tiz the Law, let alone some of the top contenders in other regions, but there’s no denying he is a deserving Derby starter based on his progress since moving to the dirt. :: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee CANDY TYCOON, who finished second, was off a half-step slowly and, though sent along, couldn’t get to a hole on the rail quick enough entering the first turn and had to check, putting him eighth around the first turn, a challenging spot for a horse who had been the early leader in his two most recent starts. He tried to go between rivals a couple of times down the backstretch but couldn’t get room, split horses in the two path coming to the quarter pole, angled out for the stretch drive and got up for second while never coming near the winner. It was a courageous effort considering he had to use different tactics than previous. He’s probably a cut below the best, but if he gets into a mid-level stakes spot next time, and can break well, he could be gone. Todd Pletcher is known for the realistic placing of his runners. AS SEEN ON TV, who was third, broke to his right and had to be corrected immediately leaving the gate, then was hustled along to be in a forward position early, between rivals and behind Gear Jockey. He was able to drop down to the rail down the backstretch and followed Ete Indien while being ridden along, began to lose ground on the far turn and was angled out to the three path, then continued evenly to the wire. Paco Lopez earned his money, because he had to keep after this colt the whole way. SHOTSKI, who was fourth, had just enough speed to get hung out five wide entering the first turn, then was able to angle to about the three path. He never could drop over, was shoved along beginning three furlongs out, was four wide entering the lane and was outfinished for the place and show. The wide trip didn’t help him, and he’s probably better when he can be forwardly placed with softer fractions, but he’s just not top level right now. COUNTRY GRAMMER, who was fifth, got squeezed back leaving the gate, and went into the first turn last while in the three path. He was well back throughout, tipped out widest of all to about the five path entering the lane, and finished evenly. He should move forward off this race and he’s intended next for the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, where he defeated maidens. Keep on eye on him for that race. MASTERDAY, who was sixth, broke well and then followed Ete Indien around the first turn while midpack. He lost ground down the backstretch, was sent along on the far turn while able to hug the rail, got through inside, but faltered in the final furlong. THE FALCON, who was seventh, lacked speed and went into the first turn ninth while in the two path. He remained well back with Country Grammer until the far turn, and only passed a few exhausted rivals in the lane while being overmatched. Gear Jockey, who was eighth, was jostled between rivals heading into the first turn, but persisted and got up to second midway on that turn. He sat there while tracking Ete Indien until the far turn, couldn’t go with Ete Indien while rounding the turn, was done before reaching the top of the lane and continued to retreat. A maiden turf race would be a more sensible spot. LIAM’S LUCKY CHARM, who was ninth, was bumped solidly between rivals in the opening furlong, couldn’t get over, and raced four paths wide around the first turn. He stayed wide and went into the far turn in the three path, was sent along with urgency three furlongs out, and steadily tired, showing yet again he wants no part of two turns. He’s a pretty decent sprinter. Hopefully these last couple races won’t sap his spirit. Dennis’ Moment, who finished last of 10, had to check between rivals heading into the first turn, raced between rivals while midpack down the backstretch, had no response when sent along three furlongs out, had one horse beat entering the lane and was sympathetically ridden through the stretch with the cause lost.