Purebred Blue Lion, Craig Taylor and Diamond T Racing’s Morelo remains a perfect 3 to 3 and is currently 4th in the Road to Kentucky Derby standings after his 4 1/2 length score in the Gotham Stakes match on March 5 (G3) at Aqueduct race track.
The next local stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is the 9-point Wood Memorial (G2) April 9, $750,000, offering 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Toby Sheets, Steve Asmussen’s Belmont Park– the assistant-based, said after Saturday’s test that the talented chestnut should be able to handle a long stretch in the distance.
“I don’t see why not,” says Sheets.
Sheets said Morello, who has worked almost exclusively on the Belmont dirt track since June 2021, has continued to improve with racing experience.
“Since he got here and went through his last three races, he’s really matured,” Sheets said Sunday. “He looks fine this morning. He’s eaten well and everything. I’m happy with him.”
Asmussen, who is still looking for first points for the Kentucky Derby, also qualifies Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter who topped the Road to the Kentucky Derby with 64 points.
List of Deans and Code Gold added their name to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for the second and third runs respectively in Gotham for Hall of Fame coach Todd Pletcher.
Currently at 9th on the leaderboard, Dean’s List earns 20 points for runner-up in Gotham while stable friend Golden Code earns 10 and currently sits at 26th.
“Both look good, had dinner last night. We’re both happy to be with,” said Pletcher assistant Byron Hughes at Belmont.
Owned by breeder WinStar Farm in partnership with Siena Farm, Dean’s List controlled a moderate tempo in the Gotham one-way run under Manny Franco, with Morello tracking the nearest second. Near the third pole sixteen, Sightstown colt makes way for Morello, to the back of the winner.
“I think he ran well,” Hughes said. “He fought hard there until the last minute. I think he looks good, especially the first stretch. He’s back in good form and we’ll start from there. “
Calumet Ranch’s code is placed in the front and rear under the direction of Kendrick Carmouche. He fought inside Life is wonderful in the interval, making his better bet enemy to keep third place by head.
The son of Honor code entered Gotham with a 10 3/4 length female specials win at the second poll on February 5 at the Aqueduct.
“I think he’s still learning a little bit,” Hughes said. “Every race, he gets more and more mature. Kendrick did a great job showing his face. He fought until the last minute and it was also an encouraging race for him. that.”
Venti Valentine receives a pat from Manny Franco after her victory in the Busher Stakes in the Aqueduct
Venti Valentine Kentucky Oaks Tied After Busher’s Victory
NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Venti Valentine c Kentucky Oaks for the first-four finishers.
Pilot by Manny Franco, half-New York’s daughter of Activation Line Pursuit of speed set by winner Bllionsa Magic circle before taking command at the start of the stretch, winning seven minutes in a final time of 1:39.65.
Dan Zanatta, who manages the NY Final Furlong Racing Stable with Vince Roth, said the win is significant for his partnership, as Venti Valentine is currently second on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 54 points.
“The three-race plan is Busher, Gazelle and Kentucky Oaks. Step one is done,” Zanatta said.
Roth said he hopes Venti Valentine will continue to make progress over the gap.
“We think she’s going to be two turns better than she was today, so it’s going to continue,” Roth said.
Jorge R. Abreu said he appreciates the training opportunity for Venti Valentine’s owners.
Abreu said: “I was watching the rerun and thought she ran really well. “The owners are great. They’re a great group of people who are excited because they’ve never had a horse like this before. It was a good run for them.”
Abreu says that Venti Valentine will begin nine April 9 Gazelle Stakes spanning $250,000, awarding 100-40-20-10 qualifying points for the top four finishers.
“We’ll target Gazelle and if all goes well there, she’ll be on her way Churchill Downs“Abreu said.” We’ll play it by ear and see how things go. For now, we are enjoying this moment. “
