The Withers – GIII [KYD]
2/6/21
AQU Race 2 1 1/8M – Dirt
Purse $250.000
Three Year Olds
Here we have a full field of twelve for this years running of the grade three Withers here at Aqueduct and it is offering up points for the Kentucky Derby. Let’s take a look at the full field.
1. Cherokee Falcon (5-1-1-2 $82.600), trained by Chili King Stables
First horse in the field here and he will be making his first start since late November and he will be running on the dirt for the first time since his first start. He is usually a late running horse so I’m sure he will be back early.
2. Stealth Command (8-2-0-1 $99.000), trained by Estero Farms
Second runner in the field here and he is coming into this race off of a good third in the Jerome right here at Aqueduct. He ran very well in there and if he can run the same kind of race here he will have a decent chance I think.
3. Bespoke (5-2-1-0 $74.600), trained by First Class Stable
Next up into the field right here and he is coming into this race off of two not very good efforts in graded stakes events. He didn’t run well in those two and I do not see him changing that in this spot.
4. Holy Water (6-2-0-1 $64.760), trained by D J C Racing Stables
Next up in the field here and this horse is coming into this race off of a third place finish in a statebred stakes race. Now he is stretching back out once again and will try these tough runners. Don’t see him doing much here.
5. Joker On Jack (7-1-1-0 $71.520), trained by Alydar Stables
Next up and another one coming into the race off of a start in the Jerome where he ended up closing for fourth. He ran a pretty good race that day and if he can run a little better here he might have a chance.
6. Baller Alert (5-2-1-1 $105.140), trained by Patterson Stables
And now we have one is coming into this race off of a stakes win in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream by a nose. He stepped up big time last out and will have to do it again in here and I think he will be able to.
7. All Gold (5-2-0-0 $24.300), trained by Our Athletes
Moving onto this horse here and he will be returning back to the dirt once again after a bad start on the turf in his last start. He looks kind of outmatched in this field here and I do not see him doing much in this spot.
8. Dematria (6-2-1-0 $32.750), trained by Nakamura Stables
Well here we have a horse who is coming out of the claiming ranks right to the graded stakes race off of a win in his last start at Gulfstream for thirty five bucks. Going to have to run a huge race to have any shot in here.
9. Marine One (9-3-2-2 $241.840), trained by Smokey Stover
A graded stakes winner in the field here and he is coming into this race off of a rather short rest. He did win the Nashua over this same track so at least he likes the surface. Should have a good shot in this spot.
10. Sunderland Til I Die (6-1-3-2 $63.320), trained by TwinTowers Racing
Next runner in the field here and this horse is coming into this race straight off of a win in a maiden special weight at Fair Grounds. Big jump up in class here and he will need to run a huge race to win in here.
11. Catch Speedy (4-2-0-0 $22.200), trained by Nakamura Stables
Second for Nakamura Stables in the field here and this horse is coming into this race off of a bad effort on the grass. Both wins were his two races on the dirt but he will also need to run a giant race to have shot at winning in here.
12. Tko (8-2-0-0 $139.000), trained by Fractious
Last runner in the field here and he is also a graded stakes winner and he is coming into this race off of a few not so great races in a row. He has a bad post and is out of form just do not see him doing much in here.
13. Frankel (3-2-0-0 $13.800), trained by Nakamura Stables
Also Eligible
14. Lokoya Road (3-1-0-1 $11.790), trained by Establo Pichon
Also Eligible
Summary
A big field here for the Withers and there is some decent runners in the field but I do not see a big time standout in this field in here. I am going to go with Stealth Command as my top choice in this field. Good luck to all in this field.
2-6-9-5
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
