DENNIS’ Moment, one of the early favourites for the Kentucky Derby, faces a line-up of 11 other three-year-olds in the Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park tonight.

The Fountain of Youth is a Kentucky Derby qualifier that offers points on a 50-20-10-5 scale to its top four finishers.

Dennis’ Moment is making his first start of the year and hasn’t raced since he went off evens favourite for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but finished last after stumbling at the start. He had won his two previous races including a Grade 3 in Churchill Downs.

“I’m not usually in this situation where I feel pressure. I usually like being the underdog because there’s not much pressure,” said trainer Dale Romans.

“With this horse, there’s so much hype with him – well deserved, he’s very talented.

“I put the pressure on myself because of what I think of him. I think he’s ready to roll.”

Flavien Prat will replace Irad Ortiz Jr on the Tiznow colt, as Ortiz is riding Mucho Gusto in the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudia Arabia.

Of his challengers and nearest market rivals, Chance It got the worst draw, landing the outside post alongside Ete Indien in 11. Wide draws can be a problem in dirt races at Gulfstream because of a relatively short run to the first turn.

Ete Indien was the pacesetter in the Holy Bull here where he ended up second to Tiz The Law, he is drawn outside a couple of other speedy runners in stakes winners Liam’s Lucky Charm and Shotski.

Shotski will enter the Fountain of Youth with Grade 2 success around two turns, having captured the nine furlong Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct in December.

The son of Blame was subsequently second in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes at the same distance in his only race this year.

John Velazquez will ride Shotski for the first time as Luis Saez is riding Maximum Security in the Saudi Cup.