Commandment stamped his authority on the Kentucky Derby trail with a battling win in Saturday’s G2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park to earn 50 points towards a starting berth for the Run for the Roses.

The Brad Cox-trained colt, who was sent off favourite for this key Derby prep, locked horns with his chief market rival Chief Wallabee in the final furlong but, holding the advantage on the rail, he was able to dig deep and pull away to win by a neck under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

Cox said, “I thought he was getting a good trip. Turning for home, it looked like Irad obviously put him in a great spot. He had the inside path and finished up well. He had to fight to win, and he galloped out well again.

“Irad said he had to ask him to gallop out past the second wire and he had plenty of horse. He passed the two-turn test.”

Commandment is likely to be seen next in either the G1 Florida Derby on 28 March or the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on 4 April as he continues his progression towards the $5 million Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

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