Verrazano may have won the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct yesterday, but it was the first time the undefeated three-year old had to dig in at the top of the stretch to claim his victory, by turning back challenges from both Gotham Stakes winner Vyjack and late-closing Normandy Invasion.
The Tampa Bay Derby winner went 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.27, crossing the wire just ¾ of a length ahead of Normandy Invasion who managed to hold Vyjack of by a mere neck.
It was his fourth straight victory for Let's Go Stables, trainer Todd Pletcher, and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, earning him 100 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby and punched his ticket to Louisville. The Wood Memorial was the first Grade 1 for Let's Go.
"I feel good,” Pletcher stated. “He never was headed and he never really got into a dogfight, but it was the first time he felt horses on his flank. While there are some more preps to go, I would say right now he's the legitimate favorite for the Kentucky Derby. The key now is to go to Churchill and get over that track well. Churchill can be a very peculiar surface and a lot of horses don't handle it.”
Pletcher went on to state that he would probably take his horse down to Louisville on April 14th. The 139th Run for the Roses will take place on May 4th.
“I think he's still learning. He has a tendency to idle a little bit and wait on company down the lane. I thought that today he did that a little bit. It was the first time he had horses real close to him at the finish of a race so hopefully every step we make is a learning experience for him and he learns to polish off these races off a little better."
Verrazano broke alertly and stalked a pace set by 77-1 longshot Chrisandthecapper (named for Net’s radio team of Chris Caerino and Tim Capatraw) before moving three wide to the front after 6 furlongs in 1:13.74. Vyjack and Joel Rosario were just a length behind him, but neither were ever able to gain enough ground to pass him.
"He was already going, and Vyjack came to him, and I looked at him," Velazquez said. "I never hit Verrazano. I was like, he's running good enough that I don't have to hit him. There was nobody on the outside, and by the wire I looked and Normandy Invasion came, and I never even saw that horse. I thought Vyjack was the only one fighting me. So I went to hand-ride him and show him the whip and tried to keep his attention because I know he kind of waits, and he's looking at the infield, and I just kind of got his attention. And all of a sudden Normandy Invasion got close at the wire and I never saw him. I didn't hit Verrazano. I didn't want to overdo things. He was doing enough to beat the other horse, anyway."
Verrazano, a dark bay son of More Than Ready out of Enchanted Rock, returned $3.60, $2.70, and $2.20. Normandy Invasion returned $3.60 and $2.60 while Vyjack paid $2.50.
The rest of the field included (in order of finish) Mr Palmer, Elnaawi, Chrisandthecapper, Quinzieme Monarque, Go Get the Basil, Always in a Tiz, and Freedom Child.
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