A trio of races on the Kentucky Derby trail punched tickets to Louisville Saturday. In New York, Flood Zone scored a 17-1 upset in the Gotham in his first race for new connections, and in California, Journalism ran down Derby futures favorite Barnes to score in the San Felipe. Meanwhile, Sovereignty ruled in the Fountain of Youth.

Here’s what went down:

GOTHAM STAKES

Flood Zone defied the odds to win the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, earning 50 points toward the Kentucky Derby. In his first race for Wathnan Racing and trainer Brad Cox, the Florida-bred son of Frosted stretched out to a mile and stepped into open company, proving his potential with a decisive 3 1/4-length victory.

Ridden by Reylu Gutierrez, Flood Zone tracked early fractions of 23.86 and 47.97 seconds before surging past favorite Sand Devil inside the eighth pole, completing the race in 1:39.62. Garamond finished third. The top five finishers earned valuable Derby points.

Purchased privately after a maiden win at Gulfstream Park, Flood Zone rewarded his backers at 17.80-1, paying $37.60 for a $2 bet. Wathnan Racing’s U.S. advisor, Case Clay, expressed confidence in the colt’s future but remained undecided on his next start.

Gutierrez, elated with his seventh graded stakes win, praised the horse’s tactical speed and potential to improve with distance. Trainer Linda Rice indicated Sand Devil is likely to target the Wood Memorial next.

Flood Zone has now earned $203,800, improving to 3-2-1-0. Bred in Florida by Al Figliola Westbury Stables, he was a $45,000 purchase at the OBS June Sale.

SAN FELIPE STAKES

Journalism made a strong statement on the Kentucky Derby trail with a victory in the Grade 2, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, the 3-year-old colt surged past favorite Barnes in the stretch to win by 1 ¾ lengths in 1:42.24 for 1 1/16 miles.

Settling in fourth early, Journalism tracked fractions of 23.71, 47.31, and 1:11.10 before making his move. Barnes, trained by Bob Baffert, finished second, 9 ½ lengths ahead of stablemate Rodriguez in third. The top finishers earned valuable Kentucky Derby points, with Journalism securing 37.5.

McCarthy expressed confidence in Journalism’s potential, saying it was ” a little overwhelming to think of where this horse could go.” Owned by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert V. LaPenta, Journalism improved to 3-0-1 in four starts with earnings of $338,880.

Journalism, a Curlin colt out of the Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, paid $8.20 for the win. Barnes and Rodriguez completed the payouts. The performance solidifies Journalism as a serious contender on the road to Churchill Downs.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STAKES

Godolphin’s Sovereignty surged from last to first to win the $415,000 Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, edging out previously undefeated River Thames. The son of Into Mischief, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, secured 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points with the victory.

Settling at the back early, Sovereignty began his move on the far turn, sweeping three-wide to overtake River Thames in the final strides, winning by a neck in 1:43.12 for 1 1/16 miles. Neoequos set the early pace but was overtaken late, finishing third behind River Thames. Burnham Square, the Holy Bull winner, was never a factor.

“It was a great run. He had a good trip,” Mott said. The $1 million Florida Derby on March 29 is a strong possibility for Sovereignty’s next start, Mott added.

River Thames, making his stakes debut for trainer Todd Pletcher, finished 2 ½ lengths ahead of Neoequos. Pletcher noted that River Thames is still maturing but put in a strong performance.

Sovereignty, who broke his maiden in the Street Sense Stakes, is now a key contender on the Triple Crown trail.