Aqueduct: Samraat outduels Uncle Sigh in Withers

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - As impressive as Samraat had been in his first three starts, trainer Rick Violette said his horse needed to be tested before he could consider him a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender.

From the opening bell of Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, Samraat was indeed tested, and he survived a 1 1/16-mile-long duel with Uncle Sigh to win the Withers by one length and remain undefeated from four career starts.

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

Uncle Sigh, who was jumping into stakes company off a dominant maiden win on Dec. 27, gave his connections reason to dream as well, finishing 10 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Scotland, still a maiden. Classic Giacnroll, Honorable Judge, and Street Gent completed the order of finish.

Samraat and Uncle Sigh were each coming off a dominant victory in New York-bred company. Samraat won the Damon Runyon by 16 3/4 lengths on Dec. 18, while Uncle Sigh beat maidens by 14 1/2 lengths on Dec. 27.

“They got to fight at least one or two dances before you get to the major leagues, and they did it today - both of them did,” said Violette, who trains Samraat, a son of Noble Causeway, for Len Riggio’s My Meadowview Farm. “This was a great race for the first of February at Aqueduct.”

Samraat, breaking from post 5 under Jose Ortiz, broke on top, but Uncle Sigh, breaking from the rail under Pablo Morales, was more intent on the lead and got to the first turn in front while running a quarter in 24.00 seconds. Ortiz kept Uncle Sigh within a half-length of Samraat through a half-mile in 48.33 seconds and six furlongs in 1:12.77.

In upper stretch, Samraat appeared to be getting ready to edge away from Uncle Sigh, but Uncle Sigh battled back along the rail before Samraat pulled away inside the final 70 yards to get the win.

Samraat covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.31 and returned $4.30 as the longer price of two even-money choices in the field. Uncle Sigh was favored by $976.

Ortiz said he wanted the lead on Samraat or at least wanted Morales to have to use Uncle Sigh to take it away from him.

“I sat right [off] him, and by the half-mile pole he’s using him already, but his horse ran a big race,” Ortiz said. “At the quarter pole I thought I’d have a little more horse to pass him and clear him. My horse stayed the same pace, he picked it up, but not the way I thought he was going to. He can improve. He’s a nice horse.”

Violette was happy for the tough race and the result, saying Samraat had been "fairly green" after three easy wins.

“This is supposed to be move a good horse forward," he said. "This is supposed to put him up to another level. We’ll see.”

Trainer Gary Contessa was happy with Uncle Sigh's performance and was already looking forward to a rematch with Samraat in the Grade 3, $500,000 Gotham here on March 1.

“Maybe he got me on experience today,” Contessa said. “I look forward to Rocky II, that’s how I feel after a race like this. I feel like this is Rocky I. I’m ready for Rocky II.”

Violette said that Samraat would likely head back to south Florida this week to continue to train. Violette mentioned the Gotham, the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 29 or the Wood Memorial here on April 5 as possible next targets.

The win earned Samraat 10 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, a system used in case the race draws more than 20 entrants. Uncle Sigh (4), Scotland (2) and Classic Giacnroll (1) also earned points.