Itsaknockout Dominates in Gulfstream Comeback

Starlight Racing’s Grade 2 winner Itsaknockout, unraced since finishing ninth in the May 2 Kentucky Derby, closed his 3-year-old season in style with a dominant 4 ¾-length victory over older horses Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

Confidently ridden by Luis Saez, who has been aboard for all six of the Lemon Drop Kid colt’s starts, Itsaknockout took command with a four-wide move at the top of the stretch and opened up down the lane to take the one-mile optional claiming allowance in 1:35.02 over a fast main track.

It was the fourth win in five tries at Gulfstream for the Todd Pletcher-trained Itsaknockout. He broke his maiden and beat winners in a similar one-mile event last winter before being promoted from second to first following the disqualification of Upstart in the Fountain of Youth (G2).

Itsaknockout was a well-beaten fourth in his subsequent start, the Florida Derby (G1), prior to the first leg of the Triple Crown.

“The time off definitely served him well. It allowed him to mature, and he put on some weight. All systems were go, and he showed it today,” said Starlight co-managing partner Don Lucarelli.

“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 Donn Handicap.”

The first major event in the country for older horses, the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1) will be run Feb. 6 at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking from post two, Saez allowed Itsaknockout to settle in third behind dueling leaders Sr. Quisqueyano and Bluegrass Singer through a quarter-mile in 23.48 seconds, a half if 45.80 and six furlongs in 1:09.81. Itsaknockout ranged up on the outside to launch his bid before drawing away under a hand ride. Favored at 7-5 in the field of seven, he returned $4.80.

“What a nice trip. He wanted to run today,” Saez said. “He was feeling so good. I let him be comfortable and when we came to the three-eighths [pole], I let him run and he took off.”

Elnaawi, making his first start since finishing third in the Donn, came on for second with Just Call Kenny third. They were followed by Norumbega, Sr. Quisqueyano, Itsaknockout’s stablemate General a Rod and Bluegrass Singer.