Verrazano Pointed at Tampa Bay Derby

This will probably preclude Verrazano from running in the Florida Derby. Pletcher likes about a month between starts for his best horses, and the FL Derby is exactly three weeks after the TB Derby. So with a win, I'd definitely say it will be Verrazano's last start before the KY Derby. With a total clunker? Who knows, maybe he turns around in 3 weeks and makes a run at the FL Derby.

I think we're going to see a mad dash for the 100 point races in a few weeks. Plans that are set up for contenders attempting to nab one of the 50 pointers will fall through and there will be a scramble for points. Should be fun.

The interesting thing about the article is seeing how Pletcher is maneuvering his seemingly endless supply of top end three year old talent. Overanalyze is going to the Gotham at Aqueduct on March 2nd, while Violence will make his 2013 debut in the Fountain of Youth on February 23rd, and Delhomme will probably look to the Rebel at Oaklawn on March 16th. Pletcher's entires could go off as the favorite in all four of the races (The TB Derby, Gotham, Fountain of Youth, and the Rebel are all 50-20-10-5 Derby Qualifying races.)

Todd Pletcher's got 99 problems, but a Derby horse ain't one.