Trio of Kentucky Derby 2019 preps 'on the table' for Vekoma
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Photo:
Chelsea Durand/NYRA
R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stable's Vekoma, with 10 Kentucky Derby 2019 qualifying points, currently stands in 22nd position on the leaderboard with a final prep race to be decided.
Trainer George Weaver will look to move up the rankings in his next start.
With Vekoma scheduled to breeze Saturday morning at Palm Beach Downs, Weaver said he is still contemplating where Vekoma would make his next start and final chance to make the Kentucky Derby.
"Right now we've got three options on the table," said Weaver. "We're looking at the Florida Derby, the Wood, and the Blue Grass."
A son of Candy Ride purchased for $135,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Vekoma broke his maiden sprinting in his debut on Sept. 23 at Belmont Park and capped his juvenile year with a win in the one-mile Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct on Nov. 4.
Vekoma launched his 3-year-old campaign in the Fountain of Youth (G2) on March 2 at Gulfstream Park. Sent off at odds of 3-1, Vekoma stalked from off-the-pace to finish a solid third, 2 3/4 lengths behind winner Code of Honor.
Weaver said he was satisfied with Vekoma's Fountain of Youth effort.
"We thought he ran well in his comeback race," said Weaver. "I thought it was a solid effort and he's been training forwardly since then. He was a May 22 foal, so he's really been starting to fill out and you can see the maturity he's gained over the winter and he's continuing to grow."
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