Wednesday, April 10, 2013 |
As the post time 4-5 favorite, Verrazano captured the Wood Memorial S. (G1) by three quarters of a length at Aqueduct on Saturday, April 6th to remain undefeated and atop the 3-year-old national rankings.
Breaking in stride from post position 8 of 10, jockey John Velazquez was content to concede the early lead and easily negotiate an early stalking position behind the pacesetter Chrisandthecapper (1) about three wide going into the first turn. After a soft opening 1/4 mile in 24.89, Velazquez had Verrazano two lengths of the leader and about four wide down the backstretch.
As they made their way toward the far turn after a slow 1/2 mile in :49.62, Velazquez urged Verrazano just as jockey Joel Rosario and Vyjack (5) made a bid for the lead. Passing Chrisandthecapper (1) and taking the lead with ease through the turn, Verrazano hit 3/4 of a mile in a pedestrian 1:13.74 with 3/8 of a mile left to go.
Coming out of the far turn, Velazquez looked be in control a length up on the comepetition in a sprint for the wire. Turning back a final bid by Vyjack (5) down the stretch, Verrazano came down to the wire in a hand ride to win by three quarters of a length over a fast closing Normandy Invasion (2) who got up for second place.
Verrazano's final time of 1:50.27 for the 1 1/8 miles distance is nothing to write home about; however, he ran the final 3/8 of a mile in 36.53, which is a very impressive closing split going 1 1/8 miles for the first time in his fourth career start.
We're thrilled with Verrazano's performance in the Wood Memorial S. (G1) and very to proud to say he is the first Grade 1 winner for Let's Go Stables.
With less than four weeks to go until the Kentucky Derby (G1), Verrazano is scheduled to ship to Louisville, KY on Sunday, April 14th where he'll continue training over the Churchill Downs main track in preparation for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
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