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Scat Daddy catches Stormello in Fountain of Youth

Scat Daddy (outside) overcame rivals Nobiz Like Shobiz (center) and Stormello in the Fountain of Youth (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) James Scatuorchio and Michael Tabor's SCAT DADDY (Johannesburg) rallied late to catch Stormello (Stormy Atlantic) on the finish line in Saturday's $350,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Ridden by John Velazquez, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt notched his third stakes victory with the nose decision, adding to his collection of trophies from the Champagne S. (G1) and Sanford S. (G2), and Scat Daddy enhanced his Kentucky Derby (G1) stock with his first win around two turns. The reputation of Nobiz Like Shobiz (Albert the Great), arguably the leading three-year-old based in Florida following his victory in the one-mile Holy Bull S. (G3), took a hit with his third-place finish at 3-5. Stormello broke on top and sprinted to a clear early lead through the opening half-mile, establishing splits in :23 1/5 and :46 as the 6-1 third choice in the nine-horse field. Adore the Gold (Formal Gold) advanced from his outside post to take up the chase in second entering the first turn, slightly cutting off Nobiz Like Shobiz in the process, and had cut the gap behind Stormello to a half-length through three-quarters in a rapid 1:09 4/5. Nobiz Like Shobiz was racing another length back in third at this point, and Scat Daddy, who was taken in hand early, had the leaders in his sights from fifth, about three lengths behind the pacesetter. Little separated Stormello and Adore the Gold entering the stretch drive, and Nobiz Like Shobiz loomed a threatening presence in third while three wide. Scat Daddy was still fifth as Stormello passed the mile mark in 1:35 1/5, but he was gaining momentum on the far outside for his furious finish. Nobiz Like Shobiz lugged in through the stretch, and Adore the Gold began to back out of it approaching the wire as Stormello desperately tried to maintain his advantage on the rail. Scat Daddy nailed him in the final stride, completing 1 1/8 miles over the fast track in 1:49.

"We were wide all the way around, but we got the trip we wanted," Pletcher said. "Our plan was to stay right behind Nobiz Like Shobiz. We felt our best chance was to repeat out the Champagne effort and make a run at him late. We took the overland route, but it was our only choice. Considering the inside bias, he overcame a lot to get it done."

After finishing third to Nobiz Like Shobiz in the Holy Bull, Scat Daddy now owns a 2-1 mark over his rival, and his record reads 7-4-1-1, $734,300. The Fountain of Youth winner, sent off the near 6-1 second choice, returned $13.80, $6.20 and $2.80 and keyed the $37.60 exacta ($1) with Stormello, who paid $6.20 and $3. It was a half-length back to Nobiz Like Shobiz, who was worth $2.10 and capped the $78.50 trifecta ($1). Adore the Gold finished another half-length back in fourth at 7-1 to complete the $252.70 superfecta ($1) (8-4-5-9). Hal's My Hope (Halo's Image), Drums of Thunder (Concerto), Meritocracy (Grand Slam), Divine Master (Montbrook) and Johannesburg Star (Johannesburg) rounded out the order of finish.

After opening his racing career with a victory in a maiden special weight event at Belmont Park, Scat Daddy captured the Sanford and finished second in the Hopeful S. (G1) at Saratoga. The dark bay rallied from off the pace to win the one-mile Champagne by three parts of a length and wrapped up his juvenile campaign with a fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) following a wide trip, his first attempt around two turns.

"Scat Daddy overcame a lot to wear down a nice group of horses," Pletcher said. "I never doubted he could go two turns. Churchill had such a rail bias on Breeders' Cup day. I think a lot of horses are going to reverse their form off those races. I can't speak to anyone else's horses, but I didn't feel like our horse got the respect he deserved coming into the race."

Trainer Barclay Tagg was naturally disappointed afterward.

"I don't know why (Nobiz Like Shobiz) ran like that," Tagg said. "The jock said he was lugging in at the top of the stretch, and you lose a little ground when you straighten him out. The whole (race) surprised me. I thought he'd lay third, then go to the front and win."

Hollywood Futurity (G1) winner Stormello was making his first start of the year in the Fountain of Youth.

"He was very fresh, but still it was a very good effort on his part -- a tough beat," jockey Kent Desormeaux commented. "I never wanted to be on the front end with him. He left (the starting gate) like a quarter horse. I did the best I could to get him to settle and give me a quiet ride. I think it's a good effort on his part, but it still hurts."

Bred in Kentucky by Axel Wend, Scat Daddy is the second registered foal out of the unraced Mr. Prospector mare Love Style, who is also the dam of an unnamed yearling full brother to Scat Daddy. Love Style is out of Grade 1 winner Likeable Style (Nijinsky II).

Pletcher said Scat Daddy will make his final start prior to the Kentucky Derby in the March 31 Florida Derby (G1).

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