Fort Wadsworth (Verrazano) gave his freshman sire (by More Than Ready) his third winner with a determined victory Saturday in the opening race on the card at Hanshin.
Switching to the dirt for the first time off a promising debut fourth on the turf June 17, the $110,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase was hammered into 2-5 favoritism beneath Mirco Demuro, but was off only fairly and settled about fourth-last into the first corner. He improved his position while very wide on the turn, raced four off the inside into the lane and wore down Ontario-bred Smart Drake (Distorted Humor) to score by a length.
Fort Wadsworth is the second foal out of an unraced daughter of Eclipse Award and GI Belmont S. winner Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy), a half-sister to fellow Belmont hero Jazil (Seeking the Gold), GII Peter Pan S. hero Casino Drive (Mineshaft)–who was also Group 1-placed in Japan–and to Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Man of Iron (Giant's Causeway). Opulence is the dam of a yearling colt by American Pharoah and was most recently bred to the Triple Crown winner.
Fort Wadsworth, c, 2, Verrazano–Opulence, by Giant's Causeway. Hanshin, 9-8, Maiden ($86k), 1400m, 1:25.3. B-Chelston (KY).
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