Upstart breaks outside as favorite in Florida Derby

Itsaknockout, who was elevated to first in the Fountain of Youth, remains

undefeated from three starts, all at Gulfstream. He preceded that victory with

maiden and allowance scores, both around one turn, but looked more than capable

at a distance in his first two-turn attempt.

Pletcher trains Itsaknockout and Materiality (Afleet Alex), who enters the

Florida Derby off two wins in as many starts. After a 4 1/4-length maiden romp

going six furlongs, Materiality came back to win the nine-furlong Islamorada H.

by 5 3/4 lengths earlier this month. Pletcher has experience getting

lightly-raced colts into the Florida Derby winner's circle, having saddled

Constitution (Tapit) last year in just his third lifetime start.

"To be running in the Florida Derby off three starts and two starts is fairly

uncommon," Pletcher said. "We were able to do it with Constitution last year but

it takes exceptional horses to do it, and so far these two have handled every

step up that we've given them."

Ami's Flatter (Flatter) has placed in two of three stakes appearances this

season, finishing second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) most recently. Trainer

Josie Carroll found the timing of the Florida Derby worked out better than

waiting a week for the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.

"The time-frame between this race and the (Kentucky) Derby is better," said

Carroll, who saddled Ami's Flatter for a second-place finish in the Mucho Macho

Man at Gulfstream in January. "He seems to like this surface very much."

The remainder of the Florida Derby field are longshots Jack Tripp (Flatter),

Indianaughty (Indian Charlie), Quimet (Birdstone), My Point Exactly (Concord

Point), and Dekabrist (Street Boss). My Point Exactly, who broke his maiden by more than 10 lengths at Gulfstream

last summer, will be making his first start since September 6 when he captured

the Sunday Silence on grass at Louisiana Downs.

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