Blue Grass Winner Vekoma Returns in Sir Shackleton
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
George Weaver with Vekoma at Keeneland
Vekoma, who rolled to a 3 1/2-length victory in last year's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, will make his 4-year-old debut March 28 in the $75,000 Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Saturday's seven-furlong race for older horses will mark the first race for R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' Vekoma since he finished off the board in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) in his first start on a sloppy track. The George Weaver-trained son of Candy Ride had won three of his previous four career starts, including the 2018 Nashua Stakes (G3).
"He's put weight on and really filled out now," said co-owner Randy Hill. "He looks like a different horse."
Plans called for the colt to return in the Carter Handicap (G1), which was initially slated for April 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack, but racing in New York is now suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"George brought him along slowly in training and he was ready to race. This looks like a good spot for him," said Hill. "We thought we'd bring him back at seven furlongs off the long layoff and see where we go from there. He was training so well, we were toying with the idea of bringing him back in the Carter.
"We want to get him a grade 1 win for sire rights," Hill added. "The Carter didn't work out, but this race is here and he's ready to run. You have to run the when they're ready."
Vekoma finished third in his lone start at Gulfstream, last year's Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
"He's doing well. He's a very special horse. He's clearly the best horse I've ever owned," said Hill. "We had a wonderful run last year culminated by winning the Blue Grass. We're confident in him and I think this horse will win a grade 1. We have a lot left to prove."
Awaiting Vekoma in Saturday's expected field of 12 is 4-1 morning-line favorite Last Judgment, a 4-year-old son of Congrats who enters off a 2 3/4-length victory in a second-level allowance-level race Feb. 7 at Gulfstream. In that six-furlong race, Mathis Stable and Madaket Stables' Last Judgment rallied from eighth early to secure the win in his seasonal debut.
Last Judgment finished fourth in last year's TVG.com Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park and ninth in a deep edition of the Pat Day Mile Stakes Presented by LG and E and KU (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Entries: Sir Shackleton S.
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 28, 2020, Race 8
- STK
- 7f
- Dirt
- $75,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 3:00 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Bourbon Calling (KY) |
Julien R. Leparoux | 118 | Ian R. Wilkes | 10/1 |
| 2 | 2Garter and Tie (FL) | Tyler Gaffalione | 120 | Ralph E. Nicks | 15/1 |
| 3 | 3Last Judgment (FL) | John R. Velazquez | 118 | Todd A. Pletcher | 4/1 |
| 4 | 4Hy Riverside (FL) |
Edgard J. Zayas | 122 | Antonio Sano | 20/1 |
| 5 | 5Bourbon Resolution (KY) | Chris Landeros | 118 | Ian R. Wilkes | 8/1 |
| 6 | 6Home Base (ON) |
Victor Lebron | 120 | Michael A. Tomlinson | 6/1 |
| 7 | 7Jackson (FL) | Emisael Jaramillo | 124 | Jose Pinchin | 5/1 |
| 8 | 8Vekoma (KY) |
Javier Castellano | 118 | George Weaver | 9/2 |
| 9 | 9Yorkton (ON) | Edgar S. Prado | 124 | Stuart C. Simon | 20/1 |
| 10 | 10He Hate Me (FL) | Luis Saez | 120 | Stanley M. Hough | 8/1 |
| 11 | 11Frosted Grace (KY) |
Paco Lopez | 118 | Katherine Ritvo | 20/1 |
| 12 | 12Majestic Dunhill (KY) |
Manuel Franco | 120 | George Weaver | 10/1 |