Shot Gun Scott Surprises Fountain of Youth Rivals as Slavic, Rhythm Falter

Shot Gun Scott, a 25-1 shot, won Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park in a four-horse finish that further clouded the Triple Crown picture on the East Coast.

Smelly, which went off at 21-1, finished second by a nose. Unbridled, who closed the strongest after lacking running room through the stretch, edged Sunny Serve for third in the 13-horse field of 3-year-olds.

The best finish among the supposed Triple Crown contenders was by Slavic, who went off as the favorite and took sixth place. Second choice Rhythm had perfect position going to the far turn and faded to 10th. Yonder, trained by Woody Stephens, was never in the hunt and finished 12th.

Shot Gun Scott, ridden by Dave Penna, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 3/5 and won by half a length. The $129,045 Fountain of Youth is the major prep for the $500,000 Florida Derby March 17 and a steppingstone toward the Kentucky Derby May 5.

Shot Gun Scott paid $52.60, $21 and $9.60. Smelly paid $22.40 and $13.20. Unbridled, an entry with Top Snob, paid $6.40 to show.