Mohaymen on Derby path

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Mohaymen knew exactly what to do when the cameras were pointed his way. Without any prodding, he turned his head toward the group capturing his latest winner’s circle trip and posed for as long as they needed. He’s had a little practice. The gray colt remained perfect Saturday, improving his record to 5-for-5 with a relatively easy victory in the Grade II, $400,000 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park in what will likely be his next-to-last tuneup before the Kentucky Derby.

“He just does things different,” said Kiaran McLaughlin, Mohaymen’s trainer. “He’s a special colt.”

“It would be fun. It would be exciting,” said Rick Nichols, who manages Mohaymen owner Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Farm. “We would welcome the challenge. We’re arguably the best 3-year-old on the East Coast. He’s arguably the best on the West Coast.”

Sent off as the overwhelming favorite, Mohaymen wasn’t bothered by settling in early behind four other horses in the field of six. He coolly moved his way through the pack, and he and Zulu — another horse who entered Saturday unbeaten — were stride for stride as they entered the stretch.

Zulu jockey John Velazquez pleaded with his horse for more run, but Mohaymen jockey Junior Alvarado barely moved a muscle. He knew his horse was in control.

“I’ve got the best horse today, and he makes my job very easy,” Alvarado said.

Mohaymen finished the 1 1/16 miles in 1 minute, 42.84 seconds, prevailing by 2¼ lengths. He now has 70 points in the Kentucky Derby qualifying standings, more than enough to assure a spot in the Run for the Roses.