Monday Morning Qb under the radar for Withers

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – A year ago, trainer Butch Reid entered the first weekend of February with a horse everybody was talking about for the Kentucky Derby. Maximus Mischief, an undefeated 2-year-old, finished third as the 4-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park and two months later would be retired with a soft-tissue injury.

This year, Reid enters the first weekend of February with a horse few people are talking about as it relates to the Kentucky Derby. Perhaps, Monday Morning Qb can attract some attention after he runs in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. A field of eight was entered Wednesday for the Withers, led by Grade 2 Remsen winner Shotski.

The top four finishers from the Withers earn qualifying points (10-4-2-1) to the May 2 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Monday Morning Qb, like Maximus Mischief, is owned by the Cash Is King Stable of Chuck Zacney and Glenn Bennett’s LC Racing. Maximus Mischief, a son of Into Mischief, brought $340,000 at auction. Monday Morning Qb is a son of the Grade 1 turf winner Imagining and brought just $25,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium sale last May.

“We weren’t really expecting a horse of this level,” Reid said Wednesday. “We were mainly thinking turf with him looking at his pedigree. The fact he’s done well on the dirt has really been a pleasant surprise.”

Monday Morning Qb made his first start on Oct. 12 at Parx, finishing second behind Ny Traffic going six furlongs. Five weeks later, Monday Morning Qb came back to win a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race by 2 1/4 lengths. Reid stepped him up into stakes company and Monday Morning Qb responded with a three-quarter-length victory in the Heft Stakes at Laurel Park on Dec. 28.

Monday Morning Qb broke from the outside post in all three of his starts and has not gotten out of the gate particularly well. Saturday, he will break from post 2 under Jorge Vargas Jr.

“Whereas last year Maximus had two [lengths] on them before he went three strides, this guy’s been a little slow out of the gate,” Reid said. “That’s one of the reasons I’m glad we have Jorge Vargas back on him. He knows him. He can get him a really good warm-up and make sure he’s paying attention in the starting gate before they kick it.”

Reid said not being able to get Maximus Mischief further along the Derby trail last year “was a tough pill to swallow.” However, he is encouraged by the fact that Maximus Mischief is standing at stud at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky and got a full book of mares for his first breeding season this year.

“I know the talent he had,” Reid said. “I really believe he’s going to be a hit as a stallion.”

Monday Morning Qb may wind up being better on the turf. For now, though, he will allow Reid and his owners to dream and perhaps make up for last year’s disappointment.

“It’s another step in the process with this horse,” Reid said. “We got high expectations. We think he should run long and maybe he’s got the grass in the future. I don’t know if I’d call it confidence, but we expect him to do well and give a good showing.”

From the rail out, the Withers field, is Mr. Shortandsimple, Monday Morning Qb, Max Player, New Commission, Shotski, Prince of Pharoahs, Vanzzy, and Portos.

Hail to the Chief, a maiden winner at Turfway Park on Dec. 28, was not entered in the Withers after clipping the bulb of a heel of a front foot while galloping, trainer Wesley Ward said.