Aqueduct: Grade 3 Withers Stakes Selections

By Rick Francis —-

Saturday Feb. 2nd

Aqueduct

Race 9) 1&1/8th Mile. Withers S. Grade III. Purse $250,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS.
Post Time: ( 4:30)/ 3:30/ 2:30/ 1:30

1) Tax – Gargan/Alvarado (M/L 2-1); though he raced wide in the G2 Remsen, he wasn’t going to catch the top two, who are not here. Look for this son of Arch to be forwardly placed for a trainer that’s having an outstanding meet.

2) Sir Winston – Casse/Davis (M/L 12-1); colt out of Awesome Again ships in from Woodbine where he found success over the synthetic main track. Trainer Casse has been solid with the surface switch angles adding value.

3) Moretti – Pletcher/Franco (M/L 3-1); pricey Medaglia d’Oro colt gets first time blinkers after swerving past a maiden field here in December, a 21 percent play for Pletcher; throw in when he starts a last out maiden winner, and you’re up to 26 percent.

4) Admire – Romans/Cancel (M/L 15-1); makes his first start since breaking his maiden over a sloppy go at Churchill back in November, a contest run at today’s distance. Cairo Prince colt ships up from Gulfstream so connections feel they’ve got a legit shot for valuable Derby points, they’re optimistic at best.

5) Lucky Lee – Servis/Pennington (M/L 7-2); Flatter colt enters off two straight dominating wins at Parx and his speed figures are right there to threaten for the top spot. There are several solid training angles in play here for Servis and you may get a price.

6) Our Braintrust – Casse/Lezcano (M/L 6-1); this Freud colt is going to be a tough out here; opened his career winning two, then has placed in his pair, both stakes, including a willing effort in the Jerome; Casse will have this one ready to roll.

7) Not That Brady – Rodriquez/Gutierrez, R. (M/L 4-1); gelding by Big Brown has won two straight in gate-to-wire fashion highlighted by last in the Damon Runyon; that being said, he hasn’t faced open company since racing debut back in August.

Selections: 6, 1, 2, 5