After his final workout ahead of next weekend’s Kentucky Derby, the colt Itsaknockout retreated to Barn 40 on Friday for a bath. He was swaddled in a black blanket with the words “Mayweather,” in orange, and “Pacquiao,” in yellow, printed on the side.
It was the first sign of a partnership between Starlight Racing, which owns Itsaknockout, and the promoters of the long-anticipated championship welterweight match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, which will be held about four hours after next Saturday’s Derby.
In addition to Itsaknockout’s donning the blanket until he is saddled for the Derby, his team will wear apparel to promote the fight.