1st-Pimlico, $54,810, Alw (NW1X), Opt. Clm ($50,000-$62,500), 5-16, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.65, ft, 6 1/2 lengths.
VERIFIRE (c, 3, Authentic–Ruby Trust {SP, $145,212}, by Smart Strike), named a 'TDN Rising Star' when thrashing Colonial maidens by 6 1/4 lengths on career debut going this distance on the Virginia Derby undercard Mar. 15, easily repeated the dose when pulling clear through the final furlong to take the Black-Eyed Susan Day opener at Pimlico by 6 1/2 lengths. Off at a nickel on the dollar, the $260,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $1-million OBS March breezer was first to break the line and with no run-up, got the opening quarter-mile in :23.69, as Saxton (Mosler)–the only other member of the first-race sextet in single digits at just under 5-1–did his level best to match motors. The second elect stayed right with the heavy favorite into the lane after a half in :46.22, but Verifire began to assert a furlong from home and was punched out under hands-and-heels from Flavien Prat to score like a 1-20 pop should. Gainesway purchased the winner's dam, a daughter of the Grade III-winning turf sprinter Queen ofthe Catsle (Tale of the Cat), for $180,000 in foal to Catalina Cruiser at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale and Verifire, who breezed an eighth of a mile in :9 4/5 at OBS last March, is her second foal. The mare is also responsible for the 2-year-old colt Golden Tornado (McKinzie), a $475,000 KEESEP purchase by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing last fall, and a yearling filly by Olympiad who fetched $130,000 from McMahon & Hill at KEENOV a few months later. The mare was barren to McKinzie for this year.Sales history: $260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $1,000,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $77,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Resolute Racing; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd (KY); T-Brad H Cox.
🔥VERIFIRE🔥 ($2.10) by as many as he wanted in the opener at @PimlicoRC. The colt by @spendthriftfarm's Authentic is undefeated in 2 starts for trainer @bradcoxracing. Flavien Prat was in the saddle. Congrats to owners @resracingky.
Early Pick 4 time: https://t.co/HFu2TpnAWY pic.twitter.com/9DlNeEX0aR
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 16, 2025
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