Long before owning an unbeaten stakes winner, Chris Fountoukis was a young welder in a small Irish-run boiler shop on Sixth Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y.
In the mid-1970s, there were no television feeds in the shop—only radio calls of races and a steady stream of wagers placed by his gambling-loving boss and co-workers.
"Those are the guys that are responsible for my addiction to horses," Fountoukis said.
That early fascination has carried him to Gulfstream Park, where his 3-year-old colt Solitude Dude will put his perfect record on the line in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) Feb. 28.
The 1 1/16-mile test marks the colt's first try around two turns and offers qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Fountoukis, now 80, has been an owner since 2001. He made his way to the United States from Greece at 27 with only a few hundred dollars in his pocket, eventually building a successful heating and air conditioning business in New York.
Racing became a passion, but he approached it with restraint.
"I never bet more than $20 a race," he said. "I was always conservative."
On the advice of a gentleman who produced speed figures, Fountoukis bought his first horse, a then-3-year-old filly named Bonefide Reason, who was out of the Naskra mare Reasoning.
His first race as an owner was at Churchill Downs June 16, 2001. Elliott Walden—yes, the current WinStar Farm CEO—was the trainer and Victor Espinoza was the jockey as Bonefide Reason finished eighth in a 12-horse field.
"That day was my biggest thrill—I shook hands with Pat Day," Fountoukis said of the Hall of Fame jockey.
Throughout his career as an owner, Fountoukis' conservative mindset extended to the sales ring, where he typically capped purchases at $100,000. But when trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. identified Solitude Dude—a son of Yaupon —Fountoukis broke his own rule and spent $300,000.
"I can't even believe that, even now that I think about it," he said with his voice rising. "I said to myself, 'What the hell got into you, dude?' But I listened to Saffie. I've been watching his progression in Florida. He's an amazing trainer."
Joseph has justified the confidence.
Solitude Dude is unbeaten in three starts, winning by a combined 21 1/4 lengths.
After a 9 1/2-length debut victory at Gulfstream Park in November, he romped by 8 lengths in the Dec. 6 Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Most recently, he captured the 7-furlong Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Jan. 31, drawing off impressively.
The Fountain of Youth presents a new challenge. Yaupon excelled as a sprinter, and questions remain about Solitude Dude's ability to stretch his speed to 1 1/16 miles and beyond. Joseph has indicated the colt's ability to relax in his races could help him carry his speed farther.
Fountoukis is realistic about the road ahead.
"That Kentucky Derby talk—that's a pipe dream," he said. "I don't know about Kentucky, but I'm excited about Saturday."
He will be on hand at Gulfstream Park, just 15 minutes from his Miami-area winter residence. While he splits time with Montauk, N.Y., he now prefers to watch most races on television unless he has a runner.
Solitude Dude is not for sale, he insists, even if offers come.
"This is a hobby for me. I'm not here to make money," he said.
The Swale winner is not his only significant investment. Last year, Fountoukis spent $435,000 on a yearling 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 expected to join Joseph's barn in the coming weeks.
"They tell me they like the horse," Fountoukis said. "I hope they're not just making me feel better about the money I spent."
For now, Solitude Dude remains the standard-bearer. From radio calls in a Brooklyn workshop to the cusp of a major Derby prep, Fountoukis' long-held racing "addiction" has delivered him to one of the sport's biggest stages—with an unbeaten colt and a chance to dream.
