Soldat solidified himself as a Kentucky Derby contender on Saturday by romping to victory in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Alan Garcia, Soldat led virtually throughout Gulfstream's final major prep for the $1 million Florida Derby on April 3. The 7-5 favorite in the field of eight 3-year-olds returned $4.80 to bettors.
The final time for the 1-1/8 miles on the fast main track was 1:50.23.
''It's on to the Florida Derby now,'' McLaughlin said. ''He's done everything right and today we got the fast track we wanted.''
Gourmet Dinner finished two lengths behind Soldat. To Honor And Serve made a bold move for the lead before tiring to third.
''He liked his race,'' said To Honor and Serve trainer Bill Mott of jockey John Velazquez, who was trying to guide the colt to his first win since the Remsen on Nov. 27. ''He said (the horse) did everything he asked until he got to the quarter pole and then, he said, he got a little flat.''
Soldat has three wins and four second-place finishes in seven career starts. The 3-year-old son of War Front increased his lifetime earnings to $554,300.
In earlier stakes action, Flashpoint drew off from heavily-favored pacesetter Travelin Man to register an impressive victory by 7-1/4 lengths in the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes.
Trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., the son of Pomeroy covered the seven furlongs in 1:22.03 after sitting close to fast early fractions.
''The only other horse I was concerned about was (Travelin Man),'' winning rider Cornelio Velasquez said. ''We broke good, had a good trip. I didn't want to move too soon because this horse likes company. In the stretch, I didn't really hit him. He was very good today.''
Flashpoint paid $15.80 as the 6-1 third choice in the field of nine 3-year-olds. He improved to 2 for 2 in his career with earnings of $115,200.
In the $250,000 Davona Dale, E. Paul Robsham Stables' R Heat Lightning bounced back from a sub-par effort in last month's Forward Gal to win by 7-1/2 lengths.
The 3-year-old daughter of Trippi, who won last year's Frizette and finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, paid $7. Dancinginherdreams held on for second, and Pomeroy's Pistol finished third.
