Unbeaten sophomore Verrazano widens margin to 16 1/4
lengths
Let’s Go Stable’s Verrazano stamped himself as an exciting Kentucky Derby
prospect with a spectacular 16 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s
5TH race at Gulfstream Park.
The Todd Pletcher pupil was never in need of urging from jockey John
Velazquez during the one-mile allowance/optional claimer. After pressing
pacesetter Gunderman along the backstretch and far turn, the 1-5 shot handily
drew away to his second victory in as many starts. Verrazano had debuted at
Gulfstream with a 7 3/4-length victory on January 1.
“That was about as impressive as you’ll see one run,” Pletcher said of
Saturday’s demolition job. “He’s been training really, really well, so we were
anticipating a good race and hoping for a good race.
“You’re going from one out at 6 1/2 furlongs and stretching out against some
horses with more experience and some stakes form. We were encouraged going into
it and even more so coming out.”
Verrazano, a three-year-old son of More Than Ready, ran the mile in 1:34 4/5
on the fast track. Eton Blue finished a distant second under Joe Bravo, a neck
ahead of Gunderman and Patrick Husbands.
Pletcher is undecided where Verrazano will make his next start.
“Obviously, he’s earned a right to step up into a big one. We’ve just got to
figure out the timing of it,” Pletcher said. “We’re a little close to the
Fountain of Youth (Grade 2 on February 23 at Gulfstream), so it probably won’t
be there. We’re just going to have to figure it out.”
Verrazano is a half-brother to El Padrino, who made a splash on last year’s
Derby trail when taking the Grade 2 Risen Star. They are out of the well-bred
Giant’s Causeway mare Enchanted Rock.
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