Aqueduct
Morello will move on to the Gotham
Chelsea Durand/NYRA Morello earned an 86 Beyer Speed Figure for winning the seven-furlong Jimmy Winkfield.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Morello, who earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for his five-length victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, will point to the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham on March 5, trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday.
Morello, a son of Classic Empire, was a three-wide stalking presence in the Winkfield, took over in upper stretch and drew away nicely under Jose Lezcano. He covered seven furlongs in 1:23.30 in what was race 4 on a nine-race card over a track that got faster as the day progressed.
“The way he did it, Jose didn’t overly use him,” Asmussen said. “He went the wire with good energy. The distance of Gotham should be suitable for him next time out.”