Virtual Machine has stakes in his future

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Virtual Machine has scored two impressive victories at Aqueduct since being transferred to trainer David Cannizzo and could be headed to the stakes ranks this summer.

In his first start for Cannizzo, which came following an eight-month layoff, Virtual Machine won a 1 1/16-mile maiden race over the inner track by 8 1/2 lengths. He came back March 24 to win a first-level optional-claiming race by 9 1/2 lengths. He earned Beyer Speed Figures of 86 and 91.

“He’s a very nice horse, and he came to us in good order from WinStar Farm,” Cannizzo said. “We’ll decide whether to come back in a two-other-than or look for a little stakes for him in about five or six weeks.”

Cannizzo mentioned the Grade 3, $100,000 Salvator Mile on June 17 at Monmouth Park as an option for Virtual Machine, a 4-year-old son of Drosselmeyer.

Virtual Machine races for Serjeant Equine, whose managing partner is Adrienne Hall. Serjeant Equine is based in Ohio and usually races at the Kentucky tracks.

“This is kind of their first venture in New York,” Cannizzo said.