Shotski signaling his readiness for Withers

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In the eight weeks since Shotski won the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct, trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer has seen subtle changes in his still-developing 3-year-old colt.

“He’s still pretty laid back. At the same time he’s training more forward. He’s a lot happier, he’s feeling good, very proud of himself,” O’Dwyer said Thursday from his Laurel Park base. “Right now, he goes out to the track very full of himself, letting you know he’s in top form.”

O’Dwyer hopes Shotski brings his top form back to Aqueduct for Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes, New York’s next test on the road for 3-year-olds hoping to make it to the Kentucky Derby on May 2. Shotski is scheduled to face seven rivals in the Withers, which like the Remsen is run at 1 1/8 miles. Also like the Remsen, the top four finishers from the Withers earn qualifying points (10-4-2-1) toward the Derby.

By the time the Remsen was run, speed had shown itself to be the most productive running style on the Dec. 7 card. Luis Saez used Shotski’s speed to gain the early lead. After fending off a challenge from Prince James, Shotski opened up a 3 1/2-length lead with a furlong to go. His final margin of victory was just a half-length over Ajaaweed.

“He was getting a little bit tired, but the Aqueduct surface is very testing and it was his first time going a mile and an eighth,” said O’Dwyer, who trains Shotski for Mike Karty, Pantofel Stable, Gary Barber, and Adam Wachtel. “Luis gave him a good, hard, stiff hand ride, he didn’t excessively use his stick, and was never in panic mode.

“I’m confident my horse has taken a step forward. I think he’s going to be better prepared for the mile and an eighth, especially after doing it once already. He’s had a steady of string of works, and the gallop-outs after his works have been the most impressive part of his works.”

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It’s not entirely clear who will set the pace in the Withers. Vanzzy comes off a front-running victory in the Display Stakes at Woodbine while wearing blinkers for the first time. Trainer Michael Pino said Vanzzy had previously shown the tendency to loaf in his races, including his maiden victory at Parx, which also came around two turns and from a forward position.

“Looking at the race, there’s speed in there, he can sit a little bit off of it,” Pino said. “Hopefully, we get a nice trip.”

Junior Alvarado will ride Vanzzy for the first time. He breaks from post 7.

Three-time Withers-winning trainer Todd Pletcher will send out Portos, a 10 3/4-length maiden winner going 1 1/8 miles in the slop here on Dec. 31.

Monday Morning Qb and New Commission, 1-2 in the seven-furlong Heft Stakes at Laurel on Dec. 28, will both be trying two turns for the first time.

Linda Rice sends out Max Player, a 4 1/4-length winner of a two-turn mile race at Parx on Dec. 17, and Prince of Pharoahs, a son of American Pharoah who dead-heated for second with Bourbon Bay behind Independence Hall in the Jerome.

Mr. Shortandsimple, a two-time winner in the claiming ranks, completes the field.

The Withers will go as race 8 on a nine-race card that begins at 1 p.m.