Verification in progress Half-brother with the 2019 champion Midnight Bisou validated his sophomore year credentials by winning a 5 1/4 tier 1 benefit option claim race on January 14 at Oaklawn Park.
First winner at Racecourse Saratoga Last summer, a 3-year-old boy justification the foal scored his second win in his fourth career start in Saturday’s fourth race at Oaklawn, a $104,000 two-turn one-mile contest. Between the two wins, he finished second in the Champagne Stakes (G1) on October 1 and sixth in the Breeders’ Cup for minors on November 4 (G1).
Farther-than-usual pace in Breeders’ Cup after a slow halftime break, Verification was sharp from Saturday’s halftime in Oaklawn, taking an early lead gun pilot and apparently after being cut off by horse racer Martin Garcia on the second turn. He raced a mile on the fast track at 1:37.23, paying $4.80 on a $2 winning bet.
Jockey Martin Garcia and #5 VERIFIED scored in race 4 @OaklawnRacing for the coach @bradcoxracing. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/IULXmcGp9t
– TVG (@TVG) January 14, 2023
Among the shares classified as winning Repent mare Diva Delite , Verified as a $775,000 purchase at Keeneland’s September 2021 Annual Sale from a shipment from Hunter Valley Farms, who co-breeded the ponies with Mountmellick Ranch. He raced for Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor affiliated with Coolmore.
Verify is one of a large group of 3-year-old coach Brad Cox expected to race this winter and spring in hopes of continuing towards the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6 at Churchill Downs.
