Avery Island fresh for Withers
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In opting to split up his two major Kentucky Derby candidates, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin made the logical choice to ship Avery Island to New York for Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct while keeping Enticed in south Florida for Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Avery Island won the Grade 2 Nashua last November at Aqueduct and finished second behind Catholic Boy in the Grade 2 Remsen in December, which was run at the Withers distance of 1 1/8 miles. An added bonus for McLaughlin when it comes to the Withers is that the field came up short and without much early pace. This should benefit Avery Island, who likes to be forwardly placed.
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Avery Island recorded his first two victories while racing on the front end. In the Remsen, Avery Island was with the front-runners entering the first turn, but Joe Bravo took Avery Island off the pace, opting not to duel with a pair of longshots. In the end, Avery Island was no match for Catholic Boy.
“I think it worked out well to take a little dirt and to school him,” McLaughlin said. “You can’t always be on the lead. I think it was a good decision. Catholic Boy ran a huge race that day, so regardless of what we did we probably were second-best. This is a different race. We look like we’ll be first or second into the first turn.”
Avery Island, who again will have Bravo up, breaks from post 4. The other potential speed in the field is California Night, who is coming off a front-running maiden win sprinting last month.
While Avery Island is making his first start in nine weeks, Firenze Fire is wheeling back three weeks after he won the Jerome here on Jan. 13. Firenze Fire, the 2-5 favorite that day, was all out to run down a loose-on-the-lead Seven Trumpets.
“I just hope he shows up,” trainer Jason Servis said. “I’m leaning on him a little bit. He ran awful hard the other day.”
The Withers will be Firenze Fire’s first start at 1 1/8 miles.
Trainer Todd Pletcher sends out the uncoupled trio of Marconi, a recent maiden winner; Bal Harbour, a two-time stakes winner; and Coltandmississippi, third in the Jerome.
The Withers, which offers 17 qualifying points (10-4-2-1) to the May 5 Kentucky Derby, will be shown live on Fox Sports 2 as part of a 2 1/2-hour broadcast beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern.
KEY CONTENDERS
Avery Island, by Street Sense
Last 3 Beyers: 83-81-79
◗ Appeared to finish just evenly in the Remsen, which was his fourth race of the year.
◗ Has breezed four times at Palm Meadows, a training center in Florida, for his return.
“He definitely was improving all the time,” McLaughlin said. “His works were excellent and he is doing just great.”
Firenze Fire, by Poseidon’s Warrior
Last 3 Beyers: 86-67-90
◗ He is a three-time stakes winner around one turn, including a victory in the Grade 1 Champagne.
◗ In his only try going two turns, he finished seventh, beaten 20 lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, though he had been suffering from a temperature earlier in the week.
◗ Was a tad rank early in Monday workout under new rider Trevor McCarthy.
Marconi, by Tapit
Beyers: 74-70
◗ Has already run twice at 1 1/8 miles, overcoming traffic to win his second start with blinkers added after running second in his debut.
