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Under confident handling from Javier Castellano, Vekoma took command in the stretch and drew off to a 3-3/4 length victory in the $1 million, Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Race Course on Saturday.
Win Win Win closed well to edge out Signalman for second and Somelikeithotbrown held on for fourth.
Somelikeithotbrown grabbed the early lead and carved out a 1/4 mile in 23.26 and Vekoma met him at the 1/2 mile marker in 47.03. They continued together through the far turn until Vekoma took the lead and powered away to win by daylight. I can’t exactly say the win was beautiful or effortless as
Vekoma’s legs were flailing around like an injured dancer during a performance, but when he finally straightened out, he looked okay.
Trained by George Weaver, Vekoma completed the nine furlong contest in 1:50.93 and the trainer was ecstatic. “I’ve won a lot of big races, but this is probably the biggest,” he said. “Keeneland and this race are special to me.”
Bred in Kentucky, Vekoma was a $135,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sale and won both his starts as a two-year-old, and finished third in his three-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
All three of the top finishers have accumulated enough points and will most probably move on to the Kentucky Derby.
Blue Grass Results:
Vekoma $4.80 3.20 2.60
Win Win Win 4.00 3.20
Signalman 3.60
Somelikeithotbrown
Chess Chief
$1 Exacta $9.30
$1 Tri $37.80
$1 Super $189.50
$1 Superhighfive $4,124.30
