Into Mischief’s Commandment enters Kentucky Derby picture with Fountain of Youth S. (G2) score
February 28, 2026
Commandment earned a hard-fought win in Saturday’s Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park to earn the Into Mischief colt his first 50 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), currently second on the list that determines the 20 starters in the May 2nd Run for the Roses.
Commandment, who decisively won the one-mile Mucho Macho Man S. over this same track on Jan. 3, was making his two-turn debut on Saturday. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. allowed his mount to settle in midpack as longshot Rockies Balboa posted a half-mile of :46.89.
On the final turn, Commandment waited for room, then when an opening appeared at the top of the stretch, the bay colt surged through to engage Chief Wallabee for the lead. Those two battled the rest of the way, with Commandment getting the win by a neck in 1:43.33 on a fast track.
His 101 Beyer Speed Figure for the win is the best of his career to date and also the best for any 3-year-old colt in 2026.
“Turning for home, it looked like Irad obviously put him in a great spot,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “He had the inside path and finished up well. He had to fight to win, and he galloped out well again. He passed the two-turn test.”
Owned by Wathnan Racing, Commandment has three wins in four starts and has earned $403,539. Commandment was bred in Kentucky by Lee Pokoik and sold for $500,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling sale.
“We’ll talk it over with the Wathnan team and come up with a game plan, whether it’s the [Mar. 28 GI] Florida Derby or the [Apr. 4 GI] Blue Grass,” Cox said of the colt’s final Kentucky Derby prep.