4th-GP, $37,000, Alw (NW3X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 12-31, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:35.02, ft.
ITSAKNOCKOUT (c, 3, Lemon Drop Kid–Stormy B, by Cherokee Run), winner of last year's GII Fountain of Youth S., was fourth in the GI Florida Derby before finishing ninth when last seen in the GI Kentucky Derby. The 7-5 pick was reserved through the opening stages in fourth and began to make headway on the dueling leaders into the turn. The bay circled the field from four wide on the bend, gained command in the stretch and kicked clear to win by 4 3/4 lengths. Elnaawi (Street Sense) was second and Just Call Kenny (Jump Start) rounded out the trifecta.
“The time off definitely served him well,” said Starlight co-managing partner Don Lucarelli. “It allowed him to mature, and he put on some weight. All systems were go, and he showed it today. It's nice to see when they run like they work in the morning. Itsaknockout seemed to be working very well, so to see him put that effort in he should be able to build on that. If he comes out sound I'm sure Todd has a game plan hopefully to get him to the [GI] Donn H. {Feb. 6]”
Dam Stormy B has a 2-year-old colt by Flatter and a short yearling colt by Alternation. She was bred back to Lemon Drop Kid. Sales history: $130,000 Wlg '12 KEENOV; $350,000 Ylg '13 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-4-0-0, $357,560. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Starlight Racing; B-Brookfield Stud (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
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