Connections of O captain are planning to capture the day with Carpe Diem colt, and helped him qualify for the Triple Crown races with a $6,000 late nomination.
Coach Gustavo Delgado further confirmed on March 12 that the third-place finisher from the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on March 5 at Gulfstream Park—An 87-1 shot in that race — will next compete in the April 2 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at the South Florida circuit.
O The captain placed 10th on the 1/16-mile Youth Fountain start and raced into the stretch, where he made a gentle rally to third, one leg equaling runner-up During due . Simplify won 3 1/2 lengths in a race ravaged by waterfalls Tall oak wood under Junior Alvarado and Galt with Joel Rosario on board. The horses escaped serious injuries, although Alvarado hasn’t ridden since after injuring his ankle.
Racing for OGMA Investments and Jack Hardin Towell Jr., O Captain were purchased by Delgado’s GDS Racing Stable for $17,000 from Woodford Thoroughbreds’ shipment for Keeneland September 2020 Sale. He broke 9 1/4 of the length when he went 5 1/2 distances in August 2021, then returned to the race in January of this year to finish 3rd in the 6-way Limehouse Stakes, poor winner 8 1/2 length. That race predates the Fountain of Youth.
Late nominations for the Triple Crown series close on March 28.
