Vino Rosso won the first Grade 1 race of his career in Monday's $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita despite racing wide throughout.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Vino Rosso ($10.20) was four-wide on the first turn and three-wide on the backstretch before engaging 3-5 favorite Gift Box on the final turn. Racing outside the favorite, Vino Rosso took the lead in the final sixteenth and won by three-quarters of a length over Gift Box, who won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on April 6.

Lone Sailor (5-1) finished third, followed by Mongolian Groom, Higher Power, Core Beliefs and Blitzkrieg.

Vino Rosso was timed in 2:03 for 1 1-4 miles. Trained by Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable and St.Elias Stable, the 4-year-old Vino Rosso has won 5 of 12 starts and earned $1,253,125. Vino Rosso won the Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct in April 2018 and was ninth in Justify's Kentucky Derby a month later.

Earlier this year, Vino Rosso won the Stymie Stakes at a mile at Aqueduct on March 9 and was fourth in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at seven furlongs at Aqueduct on April 6.