Coolmore acquires interest in Verrazano

The undefeated Verrazano romped by 16 1/4 lengths at Gulfstream last Saturday (Joe Ganley/EquiSport Photos)

Let’s Go Racing announced Thursday that the Coolmore connections of Mrs. John
Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith have purchased an interest in Verrazano
and will race the exciting three-year-old in partnership. Irish-based Coolmore
also owns a 50 percent interest in two-year-old champion and Kentucky Derby hopeful
Shanghai Bobby.

A well-bred son of More Than Ready, Verrazano romped to a 7 3/4-length
decision when making his career debut in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight
at Gulfstream Park on January 1. The bay colt came back last Saturday to thrash
entry-level allowance rivals at a one-turn mile, drawing off to a 16 1/4-length
decision, and earned a superb 104 BRIS Speed rating.

Those impressive performances stamped Verrazano as a serious candidate for
this year’s Kentucky Derby. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt is being pointed
toward his stakes bow, which could come in the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct on
March 2 or the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 9.