GII Remsen S. winner Shotski (Blame) will take his next step down the GI Kentucky Derby trail Saturday when he returns to Aqueduct for the GIII Withers S. Earning his diploma at second asking when switched from turf to dirt at Laurel Oct. 3, the bay was fourth in the Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs Oct. 27, but wired the field next out in the track-and-trip Remsen Dec. 7.
“We know he likes the track, and we know he can get the distance,” trainer Jeremiah O'Dwyer told the NYRA notes team. “We're very happy with his training and he's had a good series of works. He's very adaptable. He showed us that he can be up close to the pace. He's good from the gate. I would have to think that he would probably be in the first three early on.”
Aqueduct's leading conditioner Linda Rice sends out a pair of runners in this event in Max Player (Honor Code) and Prince of Pharoahs (American Pharoah). Finishing up well to be second after racing wide and well back early in his one-mile unveiling at Parx Nov. 12, the George Hall colorbearer overcame some greeness and another wide trip to win going away by 4 1/4 lengths next out in the slop over that track and trip Dec. 17. The colt's running style suggests he will only relish the extra furlong and he was flattered when the horse who finished second in his maiden breaker, Irish Cork (Flat Out), graduated by 10 1/4 lengths next out at Laurel.
“He's was a little green when he first joined us, but he's starting to mature and behave more professionally,” said Rice. “He's put in a nice couple of breezes since breaking his maiden, so we think he deserves a shot in here to see where he ranks among his peers.”
His stablemate Prince of Pharoahs earned his diploma at second asking when switched to the dirt and stretched to a mile at Belmont Oct. 13 and dead-heated for second last time in this venue's Jerome S. going the same distance Jan. 1.
Todd Pletcher also has a strong shot here with Wertheimer and Frere homebred Portos (Tapit). Only off the board once so far, he has navigated this nine-furlong trip three times, including his 10 3/4-length graduation in the slop here last time Dec. 31.
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