Las Vegas, NV – The Grade 3 Withers Stakes comes our way from Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York this Saturday, February 1. A group of three year olds will take to Aqueduct’s main track and go 1 1/16 miles for the winner’s portion of the $250,000 purse and the 10 qualification points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
A small field of six will line up in the Withers Stakes – race 9 on Aqueduct’s Saturday schedule. Post time is 4:20 PM. Here is a brief look into the past performances of all six entries for this Grade 3 stakes -a major prep for the $1 million Wood Memorial April 5.
Samraat – Richard Violette trained New York bred colt will try to remain perfect in his career. He has three starts and three wins – last time out in his stakes debut – the listed Damon Runyon Stakes by an astounding 16 3/4 lengths here December 18 after an Allowance score on this track November 22 and a MSW by 3 1/2 lengths score in his debut at Belmont Park in October. Samraat departs from post 5 as the 7-5 favorite Saturday with Jose Ortiz in the saddle.
Uncle Sigh – another New York bred will race for the third time for trainer Gary Contessa – both previous starts coming on this track. He broke maiden last time out December 27 by an incredible 14 1/2 lengths after a second in his debut – another MSW December 7. Uncle Sigh is listed as the 9-5 second choice and will line up from the rail with Pablo Morales aboard.
Classic Giacnroll – the most experienced of the entries, his six career starts produced two wins, two seconds and a third place finish. Last time out was a very good third in the Grade 2 Jerome Stakes here January 4 after a second in his stakes debut – the minor Marylander Stakes at Laurel Park December 7 and two wins at six furlongs in September. Classic Giacnroll is 5-1 on the morning line and leaves from post 4.
Withers Stakes betting at Aqueduct Racetrack with OffTrackBetting.com
Scotland – Anthony Dutrow trained colt had two starts in 2013 and two second place finishes – in a MSW here November 30 after another second in his debut at Laurel Park October 30. Last time out was a good third behind Classic Giacnroll in the Grade 2 Jerome Stakes here January 4. Scotland will line up in post 3 as the 8-1 fourth choice.
Street Gent – has four career starts – all MSW races. He broke maiden last time out in gate-to-wire fashion December 1 on this track after a third November 2 also here. He did fail to place in his first two starts however – an eighth in his debut in September and a seventh in October – both of those results at Belmont Park. He is 12-1 on the morning line and departs from post 2. Irad Ortiz gets the mount.
Honorable Judge – has three career starts with two wins – his only blemish was a tenth in his only stakes action so far – the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs in September. He broke maiden in his debut at Parx in August and is coming off an Allowance score at Parx November 3.
Race 9 on Aqueduct Racetrack’s Saturday card with a Post Time of 4:20 PM.
