Aqueduct: Samraat steps up in Withers

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Samraat, undefeated winner of the Damon Runyon Stakes, drew post 5 in a six-horse field entered Monday for Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes, the second leg of Aqueduct’s series of races for 3-year-olds with Triple Crown aspirations.

Samraat, a son of Noble Causeway, is the only stakes winner in a field that includes Jerome Stakes second- and third-place finishers Classic Giacnroll (post 4) and Scotland (post 3). Also entered were two-time winner Honorable Judge (post 6), and maiden winners Uncle Sigh (post 1) and Street Gent (post 2).

The Withers offers 17 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (10-4-2-1) to the top four finishers. The points are used to determine the field in the event more than 20 horses are entered in the classic race.

After dominating New York-bred competition in his first three starts – including a 16 3/4-length victory in the Damon Runyon on Dec. 18 – Samraat faces open company for the first time in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile Withers.

“It’s a serious step up,” said trainer Rick Violette, noting he’s been impressed with Uncle Sigh’s and Street Gent’s maiden victories. “It’s open company. We hope he stays the way he’s been.”

Violette made what looks to be a smart decision in shipping Samraat to Palm Meadows, a training center in south Florida, following his Damon Runyon victory. Samraat’s training has not been hampered by bad weather and inconsistent racetracks as have the horses that are based in New York.

“No question it was the right choice,” Violette said. “And not just for this race, but hopefully for down the road.”

Samraat, who will be ridden by Jose Ortiz, has had two one-mile workouts at Palm Meadows, including a serious move in 1:41.85 on Jan. 17. He also worked an easier mile in 1:46.60 on Jan. 24.

Samraat was expected to be shipped from Florida to Newark via a Federal Express flight on Wednesday.

On Monday, Street Gent worked a half-mile in 47.90 seconds over the Belmont Park training track. It was a little quicker than trainer Leah Gyarmati was looking for, but the training track on Monday did yield faster times than usual, perhaps owing to warmer than usual temperatures.

“I think he did it really easy,” said Gyarmati, who has Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride Saturday. “I think the track is just fast. As long as he did it easily I’m happy with it.”

Street Gent is filling in for Noble Moon, who came out of his victory in the Jerome with a foot issue. Gyarmati said she planned to put the tack back on Noble Moon on Tuesday and, after a few days of walking the shed row, he could return to the track over the weekend.

The Withers will go as race 9 on a 10-race card which includes three other stakes:

◗ Grade 1 winner Strapping Groom drew post 5 and is one of three horses entered by trainer David Jacobson for the Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan for sprinters at six furlongs. Jacobson also entered Praetereo and Candyman E. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez entered Dads Caps and Don Tito.

◗ Busanda Stakes winner Fierce Boots (post 2) tops a field of nine 3-year-old fillies entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Busher Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. Vero Amore, beaten a nose in the six-furlong Ruthless Stakes, will stretch out for the first time and will have to break from post 9. Maiden winner Ballylee and two-time winner Joint Return top the list of challengers.

◗ Interborough Stakes winner Lion D N A, Grade 3 winner Baby J, and overnight stakes winner Uno Duo top a list of 12 fillies and mares entered for the $100,000 Correction Stakes at six furlongs.

Sweet Reason works

Grade 1 winner Sweet Reason worked four furlongs by herself in 48.71 seconds over the Belmont training track on Monday. Gyarmati, who noted that Sweet Reason works better in company, said, “I’m just going to nominate to everything until she’s ready and then put her in.”

Sweet Reason, who has not run since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, is among 22 3-year-old fillies nominated to the $100,000 Dearly Precious here on Feb. 8.