TDN RISING STARS

January 1, 2013 - Gulfstream Park, Race 2, Msw, USD $52,500, 6 1/2F

Verrazano, c, 3, 2010 by More Than Ready

1st Dam: Enchanted Rock, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Chic Shirine, by Mr. Prospector
3rd Dam: Too Chic, by Blushing Groom (Fr)

Owner: Let's Go Stable
Breeder: Emory A Hamilton (KY)
Trainer: Todd A Pletcher

Let’s Go Stable and Todd Pletcher rode El Padrino (Pulpit), GSW, $326,770, all the way to last year’s GI Kentucky Derby, and the tandem looks to have another nice one on their hands for this year’s Classics in the form of his younger half-brother Verrazano. The bay was working well at Palm Meadows for his debut, including a swift four-furlong move in :47 4/5 Dec. 13, and was supported as the 9-5 second-choice. The $250,000 KEESEP yearling broke sharply, but was ridden hard to keep up in third through an opening quarter in :22.39. Verrazano revved up with a three-wide move on the far turn, poked his head in front at the top of the stretch and drew off impressively after a tap from John Velazquez's whip to graduate by 7 3/4 lengths. Acclaim (Tiz Wonderful) was second. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $25,200.