'Shobiz steps into the limelight at Gulfstream

'Shobiz steps into the limelight at Gulfstream

Nobiz Like Shobiz will be going for his third straight graded win on Saturday (Eleanor Gustafson/Horsephotos.com) Leading Kentucky Derby (G1) prospect NOBIZ LIKE SHOBIZ (Albert the Great), an authoritative 1 1/2-length winner of the Holy Bull S. (G3) on February 3, will make his second start of the year in Saturday's $350,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The Elizabeth Valando homebred will face eight rivals in the 1 1/8-mile test, and trainer Barclay Tagg is very high on the once-beaten colt, comparing Nobiz Like Shobiz to another flashy performer who was based in South Florida last year. "Michael Matz had reason to be confident with Barbaro last year," Tagg said. "He had one of the most fabulous horses anyone had seen in a long time, and he had him in great position for the Triple Crown. I think my horse could be on the same level." A smashing 6 1/2-length winner of the Remsen S. (G2) in his juvenile finale, Nobiz Like Shobiz suffered his only setback when finishing a close second to SCAT DADDY (Johannesburg) in the Champagne S. (G1) in his second career outing. He's trained well for the Fountain of Youth since the one-mile Holy Bull, recording several swift workouts, and the bay will break from post 5 with regular rider Cornelio Velasquez.

Hollywood Futurity (G1) hero STORMELLO (Stormy Atlantic) will make his 2007

debut in the Fountain of Youth for trainer Bill Currin. Fifth in the Breeders'

Cup Juvenile (G1) two starts back, Stormello also captured the Norfolk Breeders'

Cup S. (G2) last year. The Southern California shipper worked five furlongs in a

bullet :58 1/5 at Hollywood Park last Saturday. Kent Desormeaux retains the

mount. ADORE THE GOLD (Formal Gold) is another dangerous challenger.

Four-for-five in his career, the Michael Gorham charge opened this year with a

sharp score in the 6 1/2-furlong Swale S. (G2), and he owns a stakes win around

two turns. Edgar Prado will replace Velasquez in the irons.

Todd Pletcher will send out a pair of uncoupled starters in Scat Daddy and MERITOCRACY (Grand Slam). Champagne winner Scat Daddy, who

concluded his juvenile season with a fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile,

finished third when making his sophomore bow in the Holy Bull. Meritocracy exits

a runner-up finish versus allowance rivals at Gulfstream.

The 61st running of the Fountain of Youth is the traditional prelude to the

$1 million Florida Derby (G1) on March 31. The complete field, in post position

order, is JOHANNESBURG STAR (Johannesburg), Rajiv Maragh, 116; HAL'S MY HOPE

(Halo's Image), Jose Rivera II, 116; DRUMS OF THUNDER (Concerto), Manoel Cruz,

120; Stormello, 122; Nobiz Like Shobiz, 122; Meritocracy, Rafael Bejarano, 116;

DIVINE MASTER (Montbrook), Rene Douglas, 116; Scat Daddy, John Velazquez, 122;

and Adore the Gold, 120.

Nine sophomores will square off in the $150,000 Hutcheson S. (G2) earlier on the

program, and FOREFATHERS (Gone West) is the likely favorite. Brought back to the

United States from England last year, the bay colt won his first two starts

under the direction of Nick Zito and finished an excellent second to Adore the

Gold in the Swale last out. Forefathers will break from the rail with Cruz.

Sunshine Millions Dash S. victor STORM IN MAY (Tiger Ridge) will attract

support in the 7 1/2-furlong fray, and unbeaten SPIN MASTER (Distorted Humor),

an allowance winner most recently for Dale Romans, will make his stakes debut.

Pletcher will send out three runners: Futurity S. (G2) winner KING OF THE ROXY (Littleexpectations),

who will make his first appearance since finishing eighth in the Breeders' Cup

Juvenile; stakes victor OUT OF GWEDDA (Out of Place), who finished second in the

Spectacular Bid S. last out; and AIR LORD (Stormin Fever), who will make his

first start since finishing second to Adore the Gold in the Dover S. in October.

Forefathers will lead the post parade under a 116-pound impost. Next comes

BOLD START (Jump Start), Desormeaux, 116; Storm in May, Javier Castellano, 120;

FINALLYMADEIT (Concerto), Eddie Nunez, 116; REATA'S ROCKET (Cape Canaveral),

Rajiv Maragh, 116; Spin Master, Mark Guidry, 116; Air Lord, Chris DeCarlo, 116;

King of the Roxy, Prado, 120; and Out of Gwedda, Velazquez, 118.