NEW YORK - Even Todd Pletcher figures he has the Kentucky Derby favorite after Verrazano won the $1 million Wood Memorial and kept his record perfect through four races.
“Nothing seems to faze him,” the nation’s leading trainer said Saturday after his 3-year-old colt held off Normandy Invasion by three-quarters of a length with Vyjack another neck back in his final prep before the May 4 Derby.
“He hasn’t done anything wrong so far,” Pletcher said. “There’s some more preps to go, but I would say right now he’s the legitimate favorite.”
Verrazano covered the 11/8 miles in 1:50.27 and returned $3.60, $2.70 and $2.20. Normandy Invasion paid $3.60 and $2.60 and Vyjack, the second choice at 3-1, returned $2.50 to show.
SANTA ANITA DERBY Goldencents wins
ARCADIA, Calif. - Goldencents won the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby over even-money favorite Flashback by 1¼ lengths Saturday, giving co-owner Rick Pitino, Louisville’s men’s basketball coach, a Kentucky Derby contender.
If more than 20 horses are entered in the Kentucky Derby, then the starting field will be determined by the most points.
Ridden by Kevin Krigger, Goldencents ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.76. He paid $15, $5.40 and $3.40 at 6-1 odds.
It turned out to be a great day for Pitino, whose Louisville team rallied to beat Wichita State 72-68 Saturday in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament in Atlanta to advance to Monday night’s championship game.
Goldencents chased Super Ninety Nine, Oaklawn Park’s Southwest Stakes winner, most of the way around before swinging to the outside to make his move on the turn for home.
Sports, Pages 33 on 04/07/2013