The Todd Squad Looking For More "V's"

The letter "V" stands for, among other words, Victory. In the horseracing world, especially in trainer Todd Pletcher's stable, "V" stands for Violence and Verrazano. Two horses, who have been victorious for the 45-year old conditioner in 4 combined races. Three wins for the former and one win for the latter.

Violence ran his record to a perfect 3-for-3 when notching his second stakes victory in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Cash Call Futurity at Hollywood Park on December 15th. With Javier Castellano again in the irons, the son of Medaglia d'Oro enjoyed a stalking trip before edging away for a 1 and 1/4 -length score and final time of 1 43 2/5. Before winning his first 2-turn attempt, the big, leggy Violence broke his maiden despite a slow start in his Saratoga debut then survived an inquiry to take the bumpy Grade 2 Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct on November 4th. Violence is being pointed to the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park or the Risen Star at Fairgrounds, both G2 races on February 23rd, to start his sophomore season.

Verrazano entered the Kentucky Derby picture with a spectacular New Years Day debut at Gulfstream Park. The More Than Ready colt tracked the early leaders, moved three-wide into the far turn and poured it on down the lane to trounce 10 maiden special weight rivals in a sensational 7 and 3/4 -length score. Ridden by John Velazquez, the bay runner stopped the clock in 1 16 2/5 for the 6 1/2-furlong contest and earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. His next start is still to be determined.

Violence and Verrazano, two "V"'s in the Pletcher arsenal that join stablemates: Archwarrior, Capo Bastone, Delhomme, Notacatbutallama, Overanalyze, Palace Malice, Revolutionary, Shanghai Bobby and Tizracer. All of them looking to stay on or get on that long, winding, tricky and gruesome "Road To The Kentucky Derby" at Churchill Downs where just maybe for one of them, the biggest "V" happens on May 4th.