Fountain of Youth Runners Have Options

Trainers of the top three finishers in the Feb. 21 Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds reported their horses exited the 1 1/16-mile event in good order.

Todd Pletcher said Itsaknockout, who finished second but was placed first when Upstart was disqualified and placed second by Gulfstream Park stewards, is a "logical" prospect for the Besilu Florida Derby (gr. I) March 28.

"He came out of it well," Pletcher said of Itsaknockout, who is now three-for-three. "He looked good. We'll see how he trains, but the logical thing would be to stay here and run in the Florida Derby."

Upstart's trainer, Rick Violette Jr., reported Feb. 22 that his Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) winner was "a little tired, but otherwise he's OK."

Violette, who expressed his displeasure with the stewards' ruling, noted that the racing surface was deeper and more tiring than usual Saturday.

"I wished the track could have been a little faster," Violette said. "It was a very tough day. It was a very dry humidity day with constant wind. It was an uphill battle, no doubt about it."

Violette said he won't make a quick decision whether Upstart will run next in the Florida Derby.

"It will be a constant evaluation," he said. "We know the options are there. We'll take as much time as we need to decide."

Following Frammento's much-improved, fast-closing third in the Fountain of Youth, trainer Nick Zito will also weigh his options.

"A horse like this is on the peculiar side in that he's not that easy to train," Zito said. "Obviously he has got to run in one big race if you have any aspirations for the Kentucky Derby, which we have."