LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Annapolis came through for his many fans Thursday with a comeback victory in the $297,500 Opening Verse, the last of three stakes on an 11-race “Thurby” card at Churchill Downs. Bet down to odds-on favoritism in a field of 11 older horses, Annapolis wore down a stubborn Churchtown to take the one-mile Opening Verse by a head, marking a successful return to action following a six-month layoff. Trained by Todd Pletcher for the Bass Racing of Ramona Bass and her son, Perry II, the 4-year-old War Front colt was a winner of the Grade 1 Coolmore Mile last fall on the Keeneland turf in his most notable triumph to date. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Annapolis settled several lengths off a relatively soft pace of 24.29 and 49.33 when saving ground on both turns. Approaching the quarter pole, Ortiz angled out for running room, with his mount responding with a steady surge down the middle of the course that got him even with Churchtown with about 100 yards to go. They dueled to the wire, with Annapolis proving narrowly best. “It was a nice, solid comeback that should set us up nicely for the rest of his 4-year-old season,” said Pletcher. “We’re very happy with him.” :: DRF Kentucky Derby Package: Save on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more. Set Piece, near the rear most of the way, rallied belatedly to finish third, two lengths behind the top pair and a head in front of English Bee. The winning time was 1:35.73 over firm going. The winner returned $3.66 with his sixth victory from nine overall starts. The $2 exacta (3-7) paid $22.76, the $1 trifecta (3-7-5) returned $26.74, and the 10-cent superfecta (3-7-5-10) was worth $26.70. Attendance on a beautiful afternoon was 50,958, a Thurby record. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.