Soldat dominates Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) - 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. The 7-5 favorite in the field of eight 3-year-olds returned $4.80, $3.00 and $2.20.

The final time for the 1 1/8 miles on the fast main track was 1:50.23.

Gourmet Dinner finished two lengths behind Soldat and returned $3.80 and $2.60, while To Honor and Serve made a bold move for the lead before tiring. He returned $2.20 in third.

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.