Verrazano's big brother, El Padrino, has been retired

Let’s Go Stable has announced that grade two winner and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender, El Padrino, has been retired from racing.

A $210,000 Keeneland September Yearling, El Padrino was bred in Kentucky by Emory A. Hamilton, consigned by Middlebrook Farm and was trained throughout his career by Todd Pletcher. At two El Padrino was a fast closing second in a seven furlong maiden at Saratoga on his debut, then returned two months later at Belmont Park for a spectacular 12¾ lengths victory. The chestnut completed his two-year-old season missing by just ¾ length and a head, closing fastest of all, in the Remsen Stakes (gr. II). 

El Padrino’s three-year-old debut saw him take an 8½ furlong Allowance/Optional contest at Gulfstream Park by two lengths over Take Charge Indy while posting a 100 Beyer Speedfigure, and clocking a mile split almost identical to the winning time of the undefeated Algorithms in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) two races later. He followed up with a game victory over Mark Valeski in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds, and completed his Kentucky Derby (gr. I) preparation with a late-closing fourth in the Florida Derby (gr. I). In the Derby itself, El Padrino broke badly, then suffered a rough trip when attempting to progress from the rear of the field, eventually finishing thirteenth.

Let’s Go Racing principals Bryan Sullivan and Kevin Scatuorchio explained that "El Padrino exited the Kentucky Derby with a minor injury to his left fore and though he was poised for a big four-year-old campaign, a recurrence of that same injury knocked us off course for the Donn Handicap (gr. I) this winter".  Todd Pletcher added "it's unfortunate that El Padrino won't have a Grade 1 win next to his name, because he certainly demonstrated to us the ability to win at that level. There’s no doubt that he has the talent, looks, and pedigree to be a top-class stallion".