Aqueduct: Street Gent works for Withers Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Street Gent, a front-running winner of a two-turn maiden race over Aqueduct’s main track Dec. 1 for trainer Leah Gyarmati, worked a mile in 1:45.98 on Monday over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for the Grade 3 Withers Stakes here Feb. 1.

With jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons, Street Gent broke off at the wire and went the opening half-mile in an easy 55.92 seconds. Leaving the half-mile pole, Street Gent found himself mixed in with a pair of horses from another stable who broke off in front of him to work.

Ortiz took a hold of Street Gent to let those horses go. Ortiz asked Street Gent to pick it up through the lane as he got his last quarter in 25.39 seconds.

“I tried to wait because Leah wanted me to wait and just pick it up at the quarter pole,” said Ortiz, who will ride Street Gent for the first time in the Withers. “He took the dirt pretty good, so if he doesn’t go in front, he’ll be all right, too.”

“It would have been better if he hooked up with them in the stretch than when he did,” Gyarmati said. “He’s had dirt before, I’m not too worried about him either way, because he’s seasoned enough already.”

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

There were 34 nominations for the Withers, which offers 17 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Those expected to run include Samraat, Uncle Sigh, Classic Giacnroll, Honorable Judge, Master Lightning, and Lawmaker.