Todd Pletcher’s powerful duo of Algorithms and Discreet Dancer turned in their final works for the Feb. 26 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), breezing a half-mile and five-eighths, respectively, at Palm Meadows Training Center Feb. 20.
Palm Meadows clocker Brian Walls said Algorithms in particular “looked unbelievable,” working by himself and in hand the whole way. The son of Bernardini covered the four furlongs in :49 following an opening quarter in :25. He then galloped out five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 and pulled up six panels in 1:14 4/5.
Algorithms, owned by Starlight Partners, is undefeated in three starts and is coming off a five-length score over 2-year-old champion Hansen in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III).
Discreet Dancer, who is unbeaten in two starts, worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 1/5, beating workmate Heavy Breathing by two lengths at the wire. The son of Discreet Cat, owned by E. Paul Robsham Stables, went in fractions of :12 2/5, :24, and :35 4/5, and after a final quarter in :24 2/5, galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.
The Pletcher pair will face last year's Champagne Stakes (gr. I) winner and Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) runner-up Union Rags in the Fountain of Youth.
Another Pletcher Derby hopeful, Ender Knievel, coming off a 7 3/4-length maiden score, worked a half mile in :48 4/5 in preparation for the March 25 Sunland Park Derby (gr. III).