Vino Rosso Toasts To Kentucky Derby Qualifying With Wood Memorial Win

By Margaret Ransom

Trainer Todd Pletcher added yet another powerful runner to this year’s Kentucky Derby picture on Saturday with Repole Stable and Elias Stable’s Vino Rosso, who captured the $1 million Wood Memorial Stakes (GI) at Aqueduct. Under jockey John Velazquez, the chestnut son of Curlin made a bold move from of the pace to win by three lengths as 4-1 third choice in the field of eight others and was good for $10.20, $4.40 and $3.40.

Gotham Stakes (GIII) winner Enticed, as the 6-5 favorite, held on for runner-up honors and was good for $2.90 and $2.40. California shipper Restoring Hope checked in for third, another 2 ¼ lengths back, and paid $3.30 at 7-2. The exacta returned $15.70 and the $.50 trifecta was worth $26.62.

Firenze Fire, Heartfullofstars, King Zachary, Evaluator, Old Time Revival and Catch Twenty Two rounded out the order of finish.

In the early going of the nine-furlong race, Vino Rosso… (more)