Upstart Headlines Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth S.

GII Holy Bull S. winner Upstart (Flatter) will highlight a field of eight that drew for Saturday’s GII Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park. The Rick Violette-trained New York bred is given the 8-5 nod on the morning line. “This isn’t your father’s New York-bred, so to speak,” Violette said. “The bar has been raised. There was a terrific cast of New York-breds last year all across the country. There is certainly no longer an asterisk or a stigma as to where they were bred.” Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of Holy Bull runner-up Frosted (Tapit), hopes to get the better of Upstart this time around. “I think [Upstart] was most impressive that day and, hopefully, he doesn’t run as impressive this time and he drops back to us a length or two and we gain a length or two with the blinkers and a better post position,” McLaughlin explained. “We think we have a good chance. We have a lot of respect for Upstart, but we just hope he doesn’t run such a monster race again. Our horse is a big strong horse and every race he seems to be getting better and better. He can handle the racing well, so we’re excited to bring him back over there.” Todd Pletcher will give Starlight Racing colorbearer Itsaknockout (Lemon Drop Kid) the acid test as he steps up in class coming off an optional claiming victory Jan. 4. “”I feel very good about him,” the conditioner stated. “His first two races have been very impressive. He’s been a real pleasure to train, and a very straightforward, professional horse that comes out and enjoys his work every day. So far he’s been impressive in his two starts so this will be a big test of class. He’s running against more seasoned horses. Upstart I thought was very impressive, but this is the next logical step and he seemed to have handled everything that we’ve thrown at him so far.”