By J.N. Campbell
Sporting an afterburner that would make any jet jock high-five over the need for speed, Verifire (Authentic–Ruby Trust, by Smart Strike) went Mach 1 with his hair on fire en route to a successful unveiling at Colonial Downs. The score gave trainer Brad Cox his second 'TDN Rising Star' on Saturday afternoon.
Initially sold for $260,000 during Keeneland September, Verifire was taken home by John Stewart of Resolute Racing for a cool $1 million at last year's OBS March Sale. Sent to Cox, the chestnut drilled at Payson Park in preparation for his first start where he was installed as the 5-2 second choice here.
Verifire came away alertly out of the blocks, but settled midpack up the backstretch as longshot Built by Khozan (Khozan) carved out the fractions. When Flavien Prat gave his mount the cue to go around the far turn, the colt responded in-kind with a devastating kick and proceeded to put on a strong display of speed down the lane as he won by 6 1/4 lengths over 70 cents on the dollar favorite Hitchcock (Quality Road).
The winner is his dam's second to the races. Ruby Trust is responsible for a current juvenile colt named Golden Tornado (McKinzie), who was purchased for $475,000 by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing during Keeneland September. She foaled a filly last year by Olympiad. Second dam Queen Ofthe Catsle (Tale of the Cat) is a graded stakes winner. This was the second 'TDN Rising Star' for second-crop sire Authentic.
6th-Colonial Downs, $76,050, Msw, 3-15, 3yo, 6f, 1:08.14, ft, 6 1/4 lengths.
VERIFIRE, c, 3, Authentic
1st Dam: Ruby Trust {SP, $145,212}, by Smart Strike
2nd Dam: Queen Ofthe Catsle, by Tale of the Cat
3rd Dam: Kiawah Queen, by Lord At War
Sales History: $260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $1,000,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $45,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Resolute Racing; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
Flavien Prat and VERIFIRE 🔥 blaze home in the 6th at @ColonialDowns. @bradcoxracing is the conditioner of the three-year-old Authentic (@spendthriftfarm) colt for owners @resracingky.
Jump on the Late Pick 4: https://t.co/B5NybnWR9P pic.twitter.com/LitMUpb9tx
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 15, 2025
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