Morning-line favorite Algorithms was scratched from the Feb. 26 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park because of a splint issue.
The connections of Algorithms, who is owned by Starlight Racing and trained by Todd Pletcher, made the announcement the morning of the race. They said the colt suffered a "popped splint" in his right front leg.
“The colt has been training beautifully,” Pletcher said. "It’s an unfortunate situation. We'll monitor him closely and see how he responds to treatment.”
“It’s disappointing to miss this start,” said Jack Wolf, managing partner of Starlight Racing. "Unfortunately these things are part of the game, and we deal with them.”
Algorithms, a 3-year-old by Bernardini , won the grade III Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream in his last start Jan. 29 and is considered one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The development also is unfortunate for jockey Javier Castellano, who opted to ride Algorithms over Union Rags , who now figures to be the Fountain of Youth favorite.
Julien Leparoux picked up the mount on the Dixie Union colt.