Violent City a nice-looking debut winner for Wilkes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Violent City earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure as a four-length debut winner over the highly touted Palm Springs in a six-furlong maiden race here Saturday. The 3-year-old Violence colt is trained by Ian Wilkes for the Lothenbach Stables of Minnesota businessman Bob Lothenbach.

“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but we’ll maybe go into an allowance, maybe stretch him out a little farther,” said Wilkes, who has won with just 24 of 616 first-time starters (3 percent) in his 14-year career. “You know when I get them to win first time that they’re usually pretty good.”

Violent City “has a tremendous mind, an unbelievable mind,” Wilkes said. “He’s always shown talent. I’m happy for Mr. Lothenbach. He’s playing the game at a higher level and really loves the game.”

◗ Hidden Scroll, whose smashing debut victory on the 2019 Pegasus undercard drew widespread raves, will make his first start since finishing third in a race on the 2019 Kentucky Derby undercard when sure to come favored here Friday in the race 9 feature, a first-level allowance at six furlongs. Hidden Scroll was defeated as the favorite in all three starts after getting a 104 Beyer first out.

◗ Apprentice rider Romero Maragh recently received clearance to begin exercising horses in his quest to resume his career. Maragh, 20, underwent spinal fusion surgery last winter after being injured in a Jan. 31 spill on the Gulfstream turf. Walter Blum Jr. once again will serve as his agent.