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Itsaknockout elevated to first in Fountain of Youth

Itsaknockout (left) was left behind by Upstart but had the last laugh (Adam Coglianese Photography) Saturday's $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park went to the judges after first-place finisher Upstart (Flatter) drifted out into the oncoming Itsaknockout (Lemon Drop Kid) at the sixteenth pole. In what was a controversial decision in some quarters, the stewards disqualified the 4-5 favorite and placed him second behind the stakes debuting Itsaknockout. This disqualification of a Fountain of Youth winner was only the second in the race's long history. The first occurred in 2006 when Corinthian was demoted to third due to interference. Owned by Starlight Racing and trained by Todd Pletcher, Itsaknockout returned $12.80 as the 5-1 third choice in a field of eight three-year-olds in the Florida Derby (G1) prep. The win was worth 50 points towards eligibility in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Series.

"I feel bad for the connections of the other horse," said Pletcher, who was winning the Fountain of Youth for a third time. "He crossed the finish line first, but definitely we got impeded a bit and (jockey) Luis (Saez) had to stop riding for a couple of strides. I don't know how it would eventually affect the outcome."

The pace of the Fountain of Youth, :24 1/5 and:47 4/5, was set by Bluegrass Singer (Bluegrass Cat), with second choice Frosted (Tapit) in close pursuit. Both Itsaknockout and Upstart were close behind in the second flight, with the latter racing a bit wide.

Frosted surged past the pacesetter around the final turn, getting six furlongs in 1:11 3/5, and appeared as if he was going very comfortably. However, that colt surprisingly stopped at the top of the stretch as Upstart came to challenge with Itsaknockout right behind him.

Itsaknockout got within a half-length of Upstart when the favorite drifted out and forced Saez to steady aboard the eventual winner. Upstart extended his lead to 2 1/4 lengths at the wire, but an inquiry and claim of foul were soon called.

"Bad call," said Rick Violette, who trains Upstart, who last month had won the Holy Bull (G3) easily. "They (stewards) have to understand that when the horse gets hit behind the girth (by a tiring and drifting-out Frosted), the only place the horse can go is to the right. It's disappointing. The horse ran great, we just don't get credit for it."

Frammento (Midshipman), a 63-1 longshot, finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Itsaknockout in third. Frosted was a neck farther back in fourth and was followed by Gorgeous Bird (Unbridled's Song), Bluegrass Singer, Juan and Bina (Indian Charlie), and Danny Boy (Harlan's Holiday).

This was the third win in as many starts for Itsaknockout, who has scored all of his wins at Gulfstream. After a nose victory in his debut going seven furlongs on December 7, the bay returned in a one-mile allowance on January 4 and romped by 5 1/4 lengths. He's now earned $287,360.

"The thing I'm most proud of is for this horse to run this well in his third lifetime start, first time around two turns and first time in a stakes," Pletcher said. "It was a very, very good effort. He was in between horses in a situation he hasn't been in before, so it was a big effort."

A $350,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase, Itsaknockout was bred in Kentucky by Brookfield Stud and was produced by Stormy B (Cherokee Run), a half-sister to Canadian Grade 2 winner Rush Bay (Cozzene). This extended family includes Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Believe You Can (Proud Citizen), Grade 2 winner Classic Elegance (Carson City) and Grade 3 winners Chorwon (Cozzene) and Basket Weave (Best Turn)

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