Mid-Atlantic-based Shotski, Monday Morning Qb, and Vanzzy likely for Withers

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though Independence Hall, winner of the Nashua and Jerome stakes, has shipped from Maryland to Florida, the Mid-Atlantic region will still have plenty of representation in the Grade 3 $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 1.

Those being pointed to the Withers include Shotski, the Grade 2 Remsen winner here; Monday Morning Qb, the Heft Stakes winner at Laurel; and Vanzzy, the Display Stakes winner at Woodbine. The race offers 17 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.

Shotski is based at Laurel Park, while Monday Morning Qb and Vanzzy are training at Parx.

Others considered definite for the Withers include Portos and Max Player. Bourbon Bay and Hail to the Chief are possible, according to their trainers.

Ajaaweed, second to Shotski in the Remsen, is “very doubtful,” according to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who added that the Sam F. Davis on Feb 8 is a more likely spot for Ajaaweed.

Trainer Linda Rice has four of the 15 3-year-olds nominated to the Withers and on Wednesday said she intends to start Max Player, a maiden winner of a two-turn mile race at Parx. As for her others nominated to the Withers, Rice has First Deputy entered in a first-level allowance race on Thursday and is pointing Montauk Traffic to the Jimmy Winkfield on Feb. 8. Prince of Pharoahs is likely for the Gander Stakes for New York-breds on Feb. 16, though Rice didn’t totally discount the Withers.

War Stopper, a recent four-length maiden winner at Aqueduct, is more likely for the Gotham on March 7 than the Withers, trainer Rudy Rodriguez said.

◗ Todd Pletcher was at Belmont Park Wednesday morning to check in on his New York string, which included Bellera, winner of Sunday’s Ladies Handicap. Pletcher said options at 1 1/8 miles, a distance at which Bellera has won her last two stakes starts, are limited so he’s not exactly sure what might be next for Bellera.

Pletcher said he could just freshen Bellera and wait for the $100,000 Top Flight Invitational going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct on April 11.