Far From Over Interest Sold, Wood Next

Black Rock Thoroughbreds, owned by Steven Marshall, has sold 25 percent interest in Withers Stakes (gr. III) winner Far From Over to James Covello and Madaket Stable.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the son of Blame   out of Alchemist, by A.P. Indy is undefeated in his two career starts, winning the Withers in remarkable fashion after stumbling badly at the start and rallying from last to win going away.

Instead of running next in the $400,000 Gotham Stakes (gr. III) March 7, it has been decided to train up to the $1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 4, according to Nick Sallusto, racing manager for Black Rock and Covello.

"The track (at Palm Beach Downs) was messed up this morning, so we didn't breeze," Sallusto said. "And Todd thought that, because things didn't fall into place and he'd have to breeze either the following day or the day after, and hurry up in order to leave for New York on Tuesday, he decided to stick to the original game plan, which was the Wood."

As for the sale, Sallusto added, "Being the racing manager for Black Rock and Jim Covello, it was a natural marriage and showed the confidence I have in the horse. But I have to give Jim the credit. He's been a huge supporter of mine, but he's been a huge believer in this horse from day one. He really advocated for this deal and deserves the credit for it.

"All three are young guys who are all in and have a ton of passion for the game. In terms of passion, the stars definitely are aligned here. They're all at the top of their (respective) games (outside racing), and now they're playing this game at the top level. They play hard and they put their money up and they deserve it."

Sallusto picked out Far From Over, bred by Alexander Groves Matz, at the Keeneland September yearling sale for Marshall for $550,000.

"The whole thing is extraordinary," said Marshall, who also had the Cash Call Futurity (gr. I) and Nashua Stakes (gr. II) winner Violence   on the Derby trail in 2013, before an injury ended his career following the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes.

"I've found the right guys with the right energy," Marshall said. "To have horses like this and Violence, it's all been a dream. The reason we sold interest in the horse is, it's a business and you have to make certain decisions. They're friends of ours and they're great guys and great owners, and it was the right situation. I answer to two little blonde girls who are 8 and 11; they're my board of directors. To sustain this we have to make money; we have to survive. We still have control and now we can go on. The rest is up to the gods."