Monday, May 6, 2013 |
Verrazano finished 14th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 4th.
Breaking alertly from post position 14, Verrazano and jockey John Velazquez contended with several early runners while stuck out wide, going past the finish line for the first time. At that point, we could tell Verrazano was not getting over the surface as well as we had hoped.
After an opening 1/4 mile in :22.57 by Palice Malice (10), Velazquez found himslef between horses, asking Verrazano for more some three lengths back. As Palice Malice (10) hit the 1/2 mile in :45.33, Verrazano chased 3 1/2 lengths back in second off the rail, with Vyjack (20) on his hip.
Verrazano would keep pace down the backstretch while Palice Malice (10) continued to knock off ridiculous fractions running 3/4 of a mile in 1:09.80 as Oxbow (2) ran through on the rail to claim second. Asking for run through the turn, Verrazano could not get over the surface well and was quickly passed by Normandy Invasion (5) on our outside.Coming out of the turn, it was clear Verrazano could not sustain any threatening run at the lead, and Velazquez wrapped up within the final 1/8 of a mile.
We are extremely proud of Verrazano for showing grit and class in less than optimal conditions.Ultimately, chasing a contentious pace over an off track prevented any possibility for a win. With that, we congratulate the winnner, Orb (15), and his connections.
To watch a Race Replay CLICK HERE