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Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Forte, the 2022 juvenile champion who made an auspicious 2023 debut in the Feb. 4 Fountain of Youth (G2), is prominent on a list of 23 3-year-olds nominated to the $1-million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa April 1 at Gulfstream Park.
Now a winner in three of his four starts, Tapit Trice (by Tapit) bounded into classic consideration with a dramatic come from behind victory in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby.
Forte has been preparing for a seasonal debut in the Fountain of Youth at Pletcher’s winter training base at Palm Beach Downs.
The Justify bay exited his Laurel score to finish a distant last-of-5 in the Turfway Prevue on January 7, sprinting 6 1/2-furlongs over the synthetic.
Juddmonte’s fourth generation homebred maiden winner Jungfrau could target a rescheduled edition of the $250,000 Withers (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack, now to be run on Saturday. The son of Arrogate is also possible for the following Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, according to Juddmonte General Manager Garrett O’Rourke.