Zito will get his chances to win Kentucky Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Once again, Nick Zito is ready to move into the passing lane on the road to the Kentucky Derby.

Last week, the two-time Derby winning trainer was enthused after two of his 3-year-olds ended up in the winner’s circle: Sun King won a one-mile allowance race in near-record time at Gulfstream, and Andromeda’s Hero won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Next out of Zito’s barn of budding stars is newly acquired High Fly, who tops the 11-horse field for Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, one of five Grade 2 stakes on the program.

“It’s time to see what he can do,” said Zito, who will be saddling High Fly for the first time since taking over from Bill White as the colt’s trainer last month.

High Fly was installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite Thursday, with Bandini the second choice at 4-1.

After winning his first three starts impressively — by a combined 21 1/4 lengths — High Fly finished third in the 1 1/8-mile Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 5. In that race, the chestnut colt broke from an outside post and ran wide all the way around the track under jockey Eddie Castro Jr.

The result prompted owner Live Oak Plantation to replace White with Zito, among the best in the business when it comes to mapping out Derby strategy. High Fly also gets a new rider in Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey.

The $300,000 Fountain of Youth, being run at 1 1/8 miles for the first time, is a prep for the Florida Derby on April 2, with the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

There are several other races packed with Derby hopefuls Saturday, including the $200,000 Santa Catalina Stakes at Santa Anita, where unbeaten Declan’s Moon makes his 3-year-old debut, and the seven-furlong Swale Stakes at Gulfstream with undefeated Lost in the Fog.

At this time last year, Zito had three top Derby prospects in Birdstone, Eurosilver and The Cliff’s Edge. Only The Cliff’s Edge made it to the Derby, but he lost his shoes during the race over a muddy track and finished fifth behind Smarty Jones. Birdstone came back and won the Belmont Stakes, spoiling Smarty Jones’ Triple Crown try.

“The main thing I want is to get four horses to the Derby, and then have two of them keep all their shoes,” said Zito. “Then I think we’ll have a pretty good chance.”

Zito has a few other 3-year-olds running Saturday: Up Like Thunder was entered in the Swale, which drew a field of 11; and Noble Causeway goes in a 1 1/6-mile allowance race. Zito also has Ultimate set to run in the John Battaglia Stakes at Turfway Park.

Others entered in the Fountain of Youth are Kansas City Boy and Wild Desert, both trained by Kenny McPeek; B. B. Best, General John B, Park Avenue Ball, Papi Chullo, Defer, Bandini, Dearest Mon and Natural Phenomenon.

Kansas City Boy and Dearest Mon might be scratched because of unfavorable post positions. Kansas City Boy drew the No. 3 post — McPeek wanted an outside spot, and Dearest Mon drew No. 10 — trainer Richard Violette Jr., wanted an inside post.

Declan’s Moon won the Hollywood Futurity in December, and trainer Ron Ellis says his gelding is ready to run his unbeaten streak to five in a row.

“I’ve felt all along that Declan’s Moon has a chance to be known as a really great horse, and with him, I feel a little bit more pressure because I would love to keep him undefeated,” said Ellis of last year’s 2-year-old champion. “On the other hand, I’m not training him as if this is the last race in which he’ll ever run.”

Ellis said Declan’s Moon will have just one more start — the Santa Anita Derby on April 9 — before the Kentucky Derby.

Lost in the Fog could end up stealing the show at Gulfstream. The colt’s blazing speed has carried him to three overpowering sprint victories, including a 14 3/4 -length romp in a six-furlong race at Turf Paradise in Arizona and a 4 1/2 -length win in the Sunshine Millions Dash at Gulfstream on Jan. 29.

Lost in the Fog wasn’t nominated for the Triple Crown races, but owner Harry Aleo is willing to put up a $6,000 late fee if his colt shows he can handle a tough field in the Swale.