Verrazano didn't smash the field like some expected, but what he did do, on the way to victory in yesterday's $1,000,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, will bridge a path directly to the forefront of the Run for the Roses on May 4.
In a race where all but two entries were deemed to be running for third place, the stretch run unfolded exactly as was expected before the crowd of 12,119 as both Verrazano, and Vyjack — a showdown of undefeated Derby hopefuls — turned for home with a shot at remaining perfect.
The trip for Vyjack was similar to his last in the Grade 3 Gotham where he was forced wide turning for home before coming on through the stretch to victory. For Verrazano, it was another learning session in his short but victorious career thus far. Steadily progressing with each start, the plan was not to get cute, but to get a win according to trainer Todd Pletcher.
"He made kind of a quick move on the turn, and then he idled a little bit, and made another quick move and idled a bit, which he has a tendency to do, but a very good effort," Pletcher said. "The race was not only a building block but a very significant race in its own right. I thought he handled everything really well. He's been very professional. He shipped into Tampa the day of the race, shipped in here only a few days ago and came over from Belmont just a few hours ago. Nothing seems to faze him."
Facing his toughest test thus far, Verrazano had to contend with being headed for more than half the race as long shot Chrisandthecapper was sent off to set an early, slow pace. Jockey John Velazquez sat an outside stalking trip atop Verrazano with Elnaawi and Vyjack close behind through slow fractions of :24.89, :49.62. and six furlongs 1:13.72.
Turning for home, Verrazano took the lead and held it through the stretch as Vyjack tried to come along his outside. Normandy Invasion, closing desperately through the final furlong got the decision by a neck for second over a determined Vyjack and earned 40 points for a deserved shot at the Derby for trainer Chad Brown.
"Javier rode a terrific race, staying closer," Brown said. "He adapted to the pace. I'm happy with my horse's performance. I'm very grateful he got up for second, got the points, hopefully to get into the Derby. I don't see any reason why a mile and a quarter third off the layoff shouldn't really hit him between the eyes."
Vyjack, who still ran a strong race despite finishing third, is still pointed to the Derby according to trainer Rudy Rodriguez.
"We were happy with the way he ran," Rodriguez said. "The other horse is a nice horse.He didn't have the kick he had the other day [in the Gotham] but we were happy the way he ran."
As for Verrazano and his chance to become the first Kentucky Derby winner without a 2 year-old campaign since Apollo in 1882, Pletcher is optimistic.
"He hasn't done anything wrong so far. I would say right now he's the legitimate [Kentucky Derby] favorite," he said. "The key now is to go to Churchill and get over the track well. We learned he'll handle a mile and an eighth against pretty good horses. He didn't show me anything to say he won't [handle a mile and a quarter]..''
"The pace today was pretty slow. I think he's shown that he's kind, he'll sit behind soft fractions if necessary. It's nice to see that he'll do that."
As for sitting behind fast horses, John Velazquez now has the mount on two of the top Derby favorites. As for which one he'll choose remains unanswered.
"I don't know," he said. "That will come later on. We will see how the horses come back. I'd very stupid if I made a decision right now."
aafrunti@nypost.com
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