Undefeated Pulpit Increases His Status As Early Derby Pick

Pulpit solidified his status as the Kentucky Derby favorite on Saturday, coming from behind for the first time to win the $200,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.

The unbeaten colt fell to third on the backstretch, 5 lengths off a rapid pace, but passed front-runner Arthur L. with a furlong to go and won by 1-1/2 lengths in his toughest test yet.

Ridden by Shane Sellers, Pulpit covered 1-1/16 miles in 1:41-4/5, the fastest time for the distance this year at Gulfstream. Pulpit also had the previous best of 1:42.

Pulpit, the favorite, paid $4, $3.60 and $3 in his first stakes race. Blazing Sword finished second and paid $15.60 and $9.60. Fast-closing Captain Bodgit was a half-length farther back and paid $4.80.

Pulpit could become the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby without racing as a 2-year-old.

Bred by Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, Pulpit’s sire was 1992 Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, and his grandsire was 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.