OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — Coming off a disappointing race in the Kentucky Derby, Verrazano cruised to a front-running 914 length victory in the Grade 3, $150,000 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Ridden by John Valazquez, Verrazano ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 3-5 before a Father’s Day-record crowd of 28,951. The Todd Pletcher-trained winner of the Wood Memorial returned $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10.
A 3-year-old colt by More Than Ready from the Giant’s Causeway mare Enchanted Rock, Verrazano was making his first start since finishing 14th in the Kentucky Derby. Prior to that, he was 4 for 4.
Verrazano is expected to make his next start in the Grade 1, $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational, centerpiece of the Monmouth Park season on July 28th.
