By Patrycja Szpyra
He faced pressure right from the jump, but Knock It Off (Vekoma) found plenty in the stretch to claim 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' honors in his second lifetime victory at Fair Grounds.
Unveiled at this venue against local maidens Jan. 17, the Steve Asmussen trainee set similarly brisk fractions while facing pressure from a rival, and kicked on to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:09.47 for six panels. Trouble Calling (Dialed In), defeated in that race, returned Feb. 14 over this same track and trip to break his maiden by 6 1/4 lengths in 1:09.18, earning a 91 Beyer in the process.
On the strength of his running lines, the betting public hammered Knock It Off to overwhelming 1-20 favoritism here and it was second verse, same as the first: the son of Vekoma stepped out to control the pace as Silver Talisman (Silver State) pushed him along through an opening fraction of :21.71 and four panels through the turn in :44.65. The pair distanced themselves from the field as they swung for home and Knock It Off put some space between himself and his longtime shadow. Kept honest in the final furlong, the victor came home 2 3/4 lengths best as Silver Talisman valiantly held on for a clear second.
Knock It Off is his sire's seventh 'Rising Star'.
The winner is the last registered offspring for Bodie's Flight (Bodemeister), and is thus far her only runner to get a picture taken. The mare, who hails from the female line which produced SW Smartyfly (Smart Strike) and nine other black-type horses, has no breeding on record since 2024.
#2 KNOCK IT OFF ($2.10) wouldn't stop running as he went gate-to-wire to easily win race 6 at the @fairgroundsnola. The son of Vekoma (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @jose93_ortiz and is trained by Steve Asmussen. pic.twitter.com/WPK01U3Ri1
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 20, 2026
6th-Fair Grounds, $55,000, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 2-20, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.61, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
KNOCK IT OFF, c, 3, by Vekoma
1st Dam: Bodie's Flight, by Bodemeister
2nd Dam: Striking Flight, by Smart Strike
3rd Dam: Scarlet Butterfly, by Theatrical (Ire)
Sales history: $18,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $150,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-J. Kirk and Judy Robison; B-Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM (IN); T-Steven M. Asmussen.
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