Vekoma Returns Triumphant in Sir Shackleton
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson
Vekoma wins the Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Vekoma, unraced since finishing 12th in the 2019 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, reappeared in noticeable fashion March 28 by winning the $75,000 Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park by 3 3/4 lengths over longshot Yorkton.
With jockey Manny Franco subbing for Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, who was off his scheduled mounts after testing positive this week for COVID-19, Vekoma stalked the pace in the seven-furlong Sir Shackleton, as Yorkton sped to the lead with fractions of :22.52 and :45 while being chased by He Hate Me.
Under prompting from Franco, Vekoma began to get involved from fourth on the turn, advancing into third leaving the turn. Then in the stretch, he easily proved best, powering away down the center of the track to win going away. The 8-5 favorite in his 4-year-old debut, he raced seven furlongs on a fast surface in 1:21.92, completing his final eighth of a mile in :12.51. He paid $5.20 for a $2 win wager.
Yorkton outran his 20-1 odds to hold second, turning away 9-2 shot He Hate Me, who weakened to finish 1 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up in the show position.
A son of Candy Ride trained by George Weaver, Vekoma notched his third stakes victory in taking the Sir Shackleton after winning the Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack at 2 and the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland at 3. He has now won four of six starts and $833,025 for owners R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables.
"I was very happy," Weaver said via telephone after the Sir Shackleton. "He’s always been a very talented horse. He has already put together a great résumé as a 2- and 3-year-old.
"We had a significant amount of time off after the Derby, an 11-month layoff, first time against older horses. So you just never know how you are going to stack up. I always consider running against older horses for the first time to be like playing pro ball for the first time."
Bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables, Vekoma was purchased by R. A. Hill Stable for $135,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Lane's End, agent. Vekoma is out of Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) winner Mona de Momma, a Speightstown mare whose other foal to race, Bloody Point (by War Front ), won three of six races and $112,980.
Vekoma, who was sidelined after multiple physical setbacks, ranging from a foot issue to bone bruising, had been considered for the seven-furlong Carter Handicap (G1) this spring at Aqueduct, but when that meet was suspended (and later scrapped) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Weaver opted for the Sir Shackleton. His connections aspire to make him a grade 1 winner, an achievement that would add to his appeal as an eventual stallion prospect.
"This was a great spot to hopefully lead to bigger and better things this year," Weaver said.