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• May 06, 2013 - Verrazano 14th in Kentucky Derby | Read More
  
  

  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

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• May 02, 2013 - Verrazano Entered in the Kentucky Derby | Read More
  
  

  Verrazano has been entered in the 11th race at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 4th. It is the Kentucky Derby (G1) for three-year-olds, going 1 1/4 miles on the dirt. He has drawn post position 14 of 20 and will be ridden by John Velazquez. The purse is $2,000,000, and approximate post time is 6:24. 

  After a dramatic post position draw on Wednesday evening, we couldn't be more pleased with post position #14. It is an ideal spot for Verrazano; he'll have room to his outiside with the gap between post position #14 and #15, and the speed of the race seems to be on his inside. 

  We're hoping the post position will help jockey John Velazquez navigate a good early position before heading into the first turn. It seems there is not a lot of speed in this year's Kentucky Derby (G1). With that, we know Verrazano shouldn't be too far back as he's a handy horse and will most likely find an early stalking position. 

  Verrazano has been training very well over the last two weeks including an eye catching 5/8 of a mile breeze in :59 2/5 this past Saturday at Churchill Downs VIDEO. He seems to be handling the track well enough and is physically in great condition. 

  The weather for Sarurday, May 4th looks to be somewhat unpredictable at this time, although most forecasts are calling for rain to some degree. It seems weather could play a role this year, and although Verrazano has never ran over a wet track, we're hopeful he'll handle the conditions come race day. 

  We're all thrilled to have another Kentucky Derby (G1) starter in Verrazano and wish all the partners the best of luck as we make another Run For The Roses!

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• April 16, 2013 - Grade II Winner El Padrino Retired | Read More
  
  

  EL PADRINO RETIRED – HALF BROTHER TO VERRAZANO WON Gr.2 RISEN STAR STAKES

  Let’s Go Stable has announced that grade two winner and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender, El Padrino, has been retired from racing.

  A $210,000 Keeneland September Yearling, El Padrino was bred in Kentucky by Emory A. Hamilton, consigned by Middlebrook Farm and was trained throughout his career by Todd Pletcher. At two El Padrino was a fast closing second in a seven furlong maiden at Saratoga on his debut, then returned two months later at Belmont Park for a spectacular 12¾ lengths victory. The chestnut completed his two-year-old season missing by just ¾ length and a head, closing fastest of all, in the Remsen Stakes (gr. II). 

  El Padrino’s three-year-old debut saw him take an 8½ furlong Allowance/Optional contest at Gulfstream Park by two lengths over Take Charge Indy while posting a 100 Beyer Speedfigure, and clocking a mile split almost identical to the winning time of the undefeated Algorithms in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) two races later. He followed up with a game victory over Mark Valeski in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds, and completed his Kentucky Derby (gr. I) preparation with a late-closing fourth in the Florida Derby (gr. I). In the Derby itself, El Padrino broke badly, then suffered a rough trip when attempting to progress from the rear of the field, eventually finishing thirteenth.

   

  Let’s Go Racing principals Bryan Sullivan and Kevin Scatuorchio explained that "El Padrino exited the Kentucky Derby with a minor injury to his left fore and though he was poised for a big four-year-old campaign, a recurrence of that same injury knocked us off course for the Donn Handicap (gr. I) this winter".  Todd Pletcher added "it's unfortunate that El Padrino won't have a Grade 1 win next to his name, because he certainly demonstrated to us the ability to win at that level. There’s no doubt that he has the talent, looks, and pedigree to be a top-class stallion". 

   

  El Padrino is a son of the late A.P. Indy sire, Pulpit, and is the first foal of his dam, Enchanted Rock, a once-raced daughter of Giant’s Causeway. Enchanted Rock’s second foal, Verrazano, who also carries the Let’s Go colors is currently favorite for this year’s Kentucky Derby (gr. I) after going four-for-four, including wins in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) and Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I). Enchanted Rock is a sister to graded stakes winners Waldoboro and Tara Roma (dam of graded one winner Serra Lake) as well as to the dams of graded scorers Hungry Island, Soaring Empire and Somali Lemonade. El Padrino’s granddam, Chic Shirine, numbered the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) among her victories, and is a sister to the Champion Older Mare, Queena.

   

  No decision has yet been announced regarding El Padrino’s stud career.

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• April 10, 2013 - Verrazano Wins the Wood Memorial S. | Read More
  
  

  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).

  To watch a Race Replay CLICK HERE

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• April 05, 2013 - Verrazano Heads Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct | Read More
  
  

  Verrazano has been entered in the 11th race at Aqueduct on Saturday, April 6th. It is the Wood Memorial S. (G1) for 3-year-olds, going 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. He has drawn post position 8 of 10 and will be ridden by John Velazquez. The purse is $1,000,000, and approximate post time is 6:28.

  Coming off another impressive three length score in the Tampa Bay Dery (G2) on March 9th, Verrazano comes into the Wood Memorial S. (G1) undefeated and atop the national 3-year-old rankings. 

  In the following days, Verrazano resumed training at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, FL, and more recently he breezed an easy 5/8 of a mile in 1:01 on March 31st and went very well. Verrazano shipped out of south Florida on Wednesday, April 3rd arriving at Belmont Park around 3:30 PM that afternoon safely and in good order.

  The Wood Memorial S. (G1) presents several new challenges for our talented colt by More Than Ready including added distance and a new racetrack. However, we're confident in our colt's ability to handle different surfaces, and we have no reason to believe he'll have trouble getting the 1 1/8 miles distance. Verrazano's greatest challenge is likley to be the Grade 1 competition, as many believe the Wood Memorial S. (G1) is the toughest Kentucky Derby prep race to-date. 

  Taking on the likes of Normandy Invasion and the undefeated Vyjack - both of whom boast wins at Aqueduct - is by no means an easy task, and the field overall is a talented group of well-bred 3-year-olds with very good credentials. In many ways, this race will be an acid test for Verrazano, and we're confident he'll rise to the occasion. 

  Verrazano is coming into the race feeling good and in great form. We're very excited to have him running in New York and look forward to an exciting Wood Memorial S. (G1) on a gorgeous April day. 

  To view Past Performances CLICK HERE

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• March 21, 2013 - Top Tier Lass Makes Return at Gulfstream Park | Read More
  
  

  Top Tier Lass is entered in the 4th race at Gulfstream Park on Friday, March 22nd. It is a N1X allowance race for 3-year-old fillies, going 5 furlongs on the turf. She has drawn post position 9 of 10 and will be ridden by John Velazquez. The purse is $58,850, and approximate post time is 2:35.

  Coming off a layoff of more than six months, after a disappointing off the board effort in the P.G. Johnson S., Top Tier Lass looks to regain her form from her debut when she scored by seven lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga. Bringing her back in a turf sprint race is a logical decision given her past performance, but by no means is it an easy task.

  Since arriving at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, FL last month, Top Tier Lass has been training consistantly well including her most recent workout going 1/2 mile in :48 4/5 on March 16th. We expect her to relish the turf once again and hopefully take advantage of a good post position against a solid group of 3-year-old fillies.

  To view Past Performances CLICK HERE

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