Vekoma

Vekoma, a 2-year-old Candy Ride colt owned by R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables, won his career debut at Belmont Park on Sept. 23 by 1 ¾ lengths. Stepped up to graded stakes company in his next start, Vekoma delivered in the Grade 3 Nashua Stakes held at one mile at Belmont on Nov. 4, winning by 1 ¾ lengths again for trainer George Weaver. Vekoma did not race again as a 2-year-old.

In his 3-year-old debut on March 2 at Gulfstream Park in the Grade 2, $400,000 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes, Vekoma launched a strong bid on the final turn but could not match strides with winner Code of Honor. He passed heavily favored Hidden Scroll late to finish third behind the aforementioned Code of Honor and deep closer Bourbon War.

In his final prep for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, needing a top-two finish to qualify, Vekoma delivered a powerhouse performance. He surged well clear in the stretch of the Grade 2, $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on April 6 at Keeneland en route to a facile win and a spot in the Derby starting gate on May 4.

Vekoma finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.

Vekoma made his first start in more than 10 months in the Sir Shackleton Stakes March 28, 2020, at Gulfstream Park and won by 3 3/4 lengths as the 8-5 favorite. He followed with a powerhouse victory in the Grade 1 Runhappy Carter Handicap, accelerating clear late on his way to a dominant 7 1/4-length win June 6 at Belmont Park to earn a guaranteed starting spot in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Vekoma’s two-race win streak was put to a stiff test in his next start, the July 4 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park. Facing a stellar field that included 2019 Met Mile and Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up McKinzie and 2019 Travers Stakes winner Code of Honor, Vekoma moved to the lead immediately under Javier Castellano and had more than enough in reserve during the stretch to post his third straight win, holding off Network Effect by 1 ¼-lengths. The Met Mile offered a guaranteed spot in the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in November, giving Vekoma’s connections more options to consider after his Carter win qualified him for the Sprint.

Co-owner R. A. Hill Stable purchased Vekoma for $135,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September yearling auction. His dam (mother) is Grade 1-winning sprinter Mona de Momma.