Morello dominates Gotham; Venti’s Valentine returns strong in Busher

Mar 05, 2022 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Morello and Venti’s Valentine delivered brilliant performances
in Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) qualifiers at Aqueduct Saturday, overpowering
rivals in the $300,000 Gotham (G3) and $250,000 Busher S.

Gotham (G3)

Morello impressively remained unbeaten and stamped his
Kentucky Derby ticket in the Gotham, winning easily by 4 1/2 lengths. Steve
Asmussen trains the promising chestnut, and Jose Lezcano rides.

Campaigned by Blue Lion Thoroughbreds, Craig Taylor, and
Diamond T Racing, Morello broke his maiden at Aqueduct last November and was
exiting a five-length triumph in the seven-furlong Jimmy Winkfield S. on Feb.
6. The Classic Empire colt stretched out to a one-turn mile on Saturday, leaving
the starting gate as the even-money favorite among 10 sophomores.

Morello tracked about a half-length back in second as Dean’s
List established fractions in :23.47, :47.7, and 1:13.04. The pacesetter came
under a ride approaching the stretch, but Morello was still well in hand and seized
command in midstretch while never being seriously asked.

The winner cruised to the wire as much the best, finishing
the one-turn mile in 1:39.28.

Dean’s List, who was off at 5-1 in his stakes debut
following a pair of maiden and allowance wins at Gulfstream, held second by a length
over 27-1 outsider Golden Code, who edged 46-1 longshot Life Is Great by a head
for third.

Glider, Runninsonofagun, Fromanothamutha, Noneedtoworry,
Bold Journey, and Rockefeller rounded out the order.

The Gotham awarded points on a 50-20-10-5 scale toward a
berth in the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

A $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic two-year-old sale
graduate, Morello was bred in Kentucky by Robert Tiller and Dr. Chet Blackey.
He hails from the Congrats mare Stop the Wedding, who is closely related to
2014 Preakness (G1) third-placer and sire Social Inclusion.

Morello may try two turns, and make his final Kentucky Derby
prep, in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct on April 9.

Busher 

Unraced since a neck second in the Demoiselle (G2) in early
December, Venti’s Valentine returned
stylishly in the Busher, drawing off to score by seven lengths. Jorge Abreu trains
the New York-bred daughter of Firing Line, and Manny Franco was up for owners
NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds.

The Busher awarded 85 points (50-20-10-5 scale) toward a berth
in the May 7 Kentucky Oaks.

Venti’s Valentine left the starting gate as the 5-1 fourth
choice among five runners and stalked three wide on the backstretch, as Magic
Circle showed the way through opening splits in :24.23 and :48.19. Radio Days,
the 1-2 favorite, tracked the pacesetter in second between rivals, but she began
to weaken approaching the conclusion of the far turn.

Magic Circle was still clinging to a short advantage entering
the stretch, but Venti’s Valentine was racing comfortably to her outside and quickly
moved past when called upon by Franco, powering away to an insurmountable advantage
before being geared down in the latter stages.

She completed the mile in 1:39.65.

Shotgun Hottie, the longest shot at 22-1, got up by
three-quarters of a length for second over Magic Circle. It was another 3 3/4 lengths
to Radio Days, and Sterling Silver trailed.

Venti’s Valentine captured her first two starts over New
York-bred rivals, including the Maid of Mist S. at Belmont Park in late
October, before just missing in the 1 1/8-mile Demoiselle to Nest, who
confirmed herself as a major Kentucky Oaks contender when returning with a
romping win in the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs.

Bred by Final Furlong and Maspeth Stable, Venti’s Valentine
is out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Glory Gold, who is also the dam of multiple
New York-bred stakes winner Espresso Shot.