Lengthy earlier than proudly owning an unbeaten stakes winner, Chris Fountoukis was a younger welder in a small Irish-run boiler store on Sixth Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Within the mid-Nineteen Seventies, there have been no tv feeds within the store—solely radio calls of races and a gentle stream of wagers positioned by his gambling-loving boss and colleagues.
“These are the blokes which can be chargeable for my dependancy to horses,” Fountoukis mentioned.
That early fascination has carried him to Gulfstream Park, the place his 3-year-old colt Solitude Dude will put his good file on the road within the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) Feb. 28.
The 1 1/16-mile check marks the colt’s first strive round two turns and presents qualifying factors towards the Kentucky Derby (G1).Join BloodHorse Every day
Fountoukis, now 80, has been an proprietor since 2001. He made his technique to the US from Greece at 27 with only some hundred {dollars} in his pocket, ultimately constructing a profitable heating and air con enterprise in New York.
Racing grew to become a ardour, however he approached it with restraint.
“I by no means wager greater than $20 a race,” he mentioned. “I used to be all the time conservative.”
On the recommendation of a gentleman who produced velocity figures, Fountoukis purchased his first horse, a then-3-year-old filly named Bonefide Motive, who was out of the Naskra mare Reasoning.
His first race as an proprietor was at Churchill Downs on June 16, 2001. Elliott Walden—sure, the present WinStar Farm CEO—was the coach and Victor Espinoza was the jockey as Bonefide Motive completed eighth in a 12-horse area.
“That day was my greatest thrill—I shook palms with Pat Day,” Fountoukis mentioned of the Corridor of Fame jockey, who rode frequently at Churchill on the time.
All through his profession as an proprietor, Fountoukis’ conservative mindset prolonged to the gross sales ring, the place he sometimes capped purchases at $100,000. However when coach Saffie Joseph Jr. recognized Solitude Dude—a son of Yaupon  —Fountoukis broke his personal rule and spent $300,000.
“I can not even imagine that, even now that I give it some thought,” he mentioned along with his voice rising. “I mentioned to myself, ‘What the hell acquired into you, dude?’ However I listened to Saffie. I have been watching his development in Florida. He is an incredible coach.”
Joseph has justified the boldness. Solitude Dude is unbeaten in three begins, successful by a mixed 21 1/4 lengths.
After a 9Â 1/2-length debut victory at Gulfstream Park in November, he romped by 8 lengths within the Dec. 6 Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Most not too long ago, he captured the 7-furlong Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Jan. 31, drawing off impressively.
The Fountain of Youth presents a brand new problem. Yaupon excelled as a sprinter, and questions stay about Solitude Dude’s skill to stretch his velocity to 1 1/16 miles and past. Joseph has indicated the colt’s skill to calm down in his races may assist him carry his velocity farther.
Fountoukis is reasonable concerning the street forward.
“That Kentucky Derby speak—that is a pipe dream,” he mentioned. “I do not learn about Kentucky, however I am enthusiastic about Saturday.”
He might be available at Gulfstream Park, simply quarter-hour from his Miami-area winter residence. Whereas he splits time between Montauk, N.Y., he now prefers to observe most races on tv except he has a runner.
Solitude Dude shouldn’t be on the market, he insists, even when presents come.
“It is a passion for me. I am not right here to make cash,” he mentioned.
The Swale winner shouldn’t be his solely vital funding. Final yr, Fountoukis spent $435,000 on the Keeneland September Yearling sale on a son of Corniche  out of the Bodemeister mare Bodebabe , making the colt a half brother to grade 1 winner Scottish Lassie . The now 2-year-old, named Poseidon’s Temple, is predicted to hitch Joseph’s barn within the coming weeks. Joseph purchased the horse as agent from the Paramount Gross sales consignment final yr.
“They inform me they just like the horse,” Fountoukis mentioned. “I hope they don’t seem to be simply making me really feel higher concerning the cash I spent.”
For now, Solitude Dude stays the standard-bearer. From radio calls in a Brooklyn workshop to the cusp of a serious Derby prep, Fountoukis’ long-held racing “dependancy” has delivered him to one of many sport’s greatest levels—with an unbeaten colt and an opportunity to dream.
