The Coolmore team of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier has purchased an interest in unbeaten 3-year-old Verrazano and will race the son of More Than Ready in partnership with Let's Go Stable. Verrazano, who has won both of his starts by a combined 24 lengths for Let's Go Stable, is ranked sixth on Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen. Let's Go Stable is managed by Bryan Sullivan and Kevin Scatuorchio.
"We have a long association with Coolmore as Kevin's father, James, raced Scat Daddy, who has made such a great start to his stud career at Ashford," said Sullivan.
Ashford, located near Versailles, Ky., is a satellite of Ireland-based Coolmore Stud.
Verrazano, who will remain with trainer Todd Pletcher, won at Gulfstream Park Jan. 1 by 7 3/4 lengths and by 16 1/4 lengths Feb. 2 at the track. In his latest start he covered a one-turn mile in 1:34.80. He has earned $51,300.
Bred in Kentucky by Emory A. Hamilton, Verrazano is the second foal out of the Giant's Causeway mare Enchanted Rock, whose first foal is grade II winner El Padrino . El Padrino, by the late Pulpit, won last year's Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) and was fourth in the Florida Derby (gr. I) prior to running 13th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) for Let's go Stable. He is currently in training with Pletcher at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Verrazano traces in female family to Hamilton's blue hen Too Chic.
Consigned to the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale by Middlebrook Farm, agent, Let's Go Stable purchased Verrazano for $250,000.