Aqueduct: Opportunity knocks in Withers for Kentucky Derby prospects

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Can another legitimate Kentucky Derby horse emerge from Aqueduct in the winter?

Last year, Revolutionary scored a narrow victory in the Withers Stakes, won the Louisiana Derby next time out, and finished third in the Kentucky Derby.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Saturday, six 3-year-olds – none who possess a much stronger résumé than did Revolutionary at this point – will try to jump onto the Triple Crown trail in the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct.

The Withers, a 1 1/16-mile race over the inner track, offers 17 qualifying points (10-4-2-1) towards the Kentucky Derby, utilized only in the event the Derby draws more than 20 entrants. The Withers is the last of four stakes on a 10-race card that includes the Grade 3 Toboggan, and listed Correction and Busher Stakes.

It’s an intriguing if not accomplished field that will contest the Withers. Samraat, a son of Noble Causeway trained by Rick Violette, is undefeated in three starts – all against New York-breds – including a 16 3/4-length romp in the Damon Runyon over the inner track on Dec. 18. Uncle Sigh, a son of Indian Charlie trained by Gary Contessa, is coming off a 14 1/2-length maiden victory against New York-breds on Dec. 27. Both have recorded gaudy Beyer Speed Figures and will likely attract most of the betting

Then there is Classic Giacnroll, a son of 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo who hasn’t run fast, but who has twice been competitive in open stakes, including a second-place finish to Noble Moon the Grade 2 Jerome Stakes here on Jan. 4.

Classic Giacnroll has been based at Aqueduct since late December with Juan Carlos Guerrero commuting daily from south Jersey to oversee the colt’s training for his wife Lisa, the trainer and part-owner along with Joseph Besecker.

While acknowledging the dominant performances of Samraat and Uncle Sigh, Juan Carlos Guerrero, said, “I think they’re facing a little bit different type of horse. They’re very nice New York-breds. I think Violette’s horse is amazing . . . but I think he’s going to feel a little more pressure. If he’s that nice of a horse, he should respond. I know my horse will be sitting and waiting for them and jump on them. If they are what they are they should respond, if not he should go after them.”

Guerrero said he felt that Classic Giacnroll was “way too wide” in the Jerome. That and his inability to switch leads in the stretch may have cost him. Cornelio Velasquez will replace Alex Solis and Classic Giacnroll will break from post 3.

With the exception of some pimples on his hocks and stifles that Guerrero feels have come as a result of the chemicals in the inner track, he feels his horse is coming up to this race in prime condition.

“If he runs like he’s supposed to, I think he’s going to surprise some people,” Guerrero said.

Samraat has won his first three starts by a combined 25 3/4 lengths and has been in front at every point of call in those three races. Violette said he believes his horse is rateable, something he thinks he proved in the Damon Runyon when he settled kindly while on the lead through slow fractions.

“He had horses within three-quarters of a length of him and wasn’t pulling,” Violette said. “If he has to sit off another horse he’ll be fine. But we’re not going to put a hammerlock on him.”

Samraat, who arrived here Wednesday from south Florida, will break from post 5 under Jose Ortiz.

In his dominant maiden win, Uncle Sigh sat off another horse early before advancing to the front midway down the backstretch.
With Uncle Sigh having drawn the rail, Contessa doesn’t see his horse taking back early on.

“I’m not going to give up the rail and the lead easily because I don’t think there’s a lot of speed in here,” Contessa said. “I don’t know what [Samraat] is; I know he got a half in 49-and-change last time and if there’s going to be a half in 49-and-change it’s going to be mine. I have the rail.”

Another horse who has shown early speed is Street Gent, a son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense who won a 1 1/8-mile maiden race over Aqueduct’s main track on Dec. 1. Irad Ortiz rides Street Gent for Leah Gyarmati from post 2.

Honorable Judge is a full brother to 2010 Withers winner Afleet Again. Honorable Judge sandwiched two wins at Parx around a last-place finish in the Grade 3 Iroquois, a race in which he emerged needing throat surgery.

Scotland is still a maiden but ran a respectable third in the Jerome last out. Kendrick Carmouche rides for Tony Dutrow.