Godolphin's Alpha moves closer to Kentucky Derby
Report: USA, Saturday
Aqueduct: Withers Stakes (Grade 3) 1m½f, dirt, 3yo
GODOLPHIN'S Alpha (Kiaran McLaughlin/Ramon Dominguez) took another step closer to the Kentucky Derby with victory in the Withers Stakes on Saturday.
Sent off 7-20 favourite, the son of Bernardini recorded an easy three-and-a-quarter-length success over outsider Speightscity in the $200,000event.
Despite being forced to race three wide on both turns, Alpha was always close to the pace before kicking away in the stretch for a comfortable verdict in a time of 1m44.23s.
"The plans will be to talk to Simon Crisford from Godolphin to see which way to go," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
"He's here in New York right now but he could relocate or he could run back in the Gotham in a month. We'll just have to talk about it. At least we got $120,000 in graded earnings going forward to the first Saturday in May. That's important.
"I think he improved some because of how wide he was both trips, and he was better in the gate. He gets a better grade for this race - if it was a ‘B' last time, he gets an ‘A' this time."
Also on Saturday
Tampa Bay Downs: Sam F Davis Stakes (Grade 3) 1m½f, dirt, 3yo
Not everybody in the world noticed the silks he was carrying but maiden Battle Hardened (Eddie Keneally/Julien Leparoux) is on the Derby trail after winning this for the Coolmore team. He's a son of Giant's Causeway, which helps.
Santa Anita: Strub Stakes (Grade 2) 1m1f, dirt, 4yo
Ultimate Eagle (Michael Pender/Martin Pedroza), a Grade 1 winner on turf, switched to dirt with huge effect as he made all for a 7¼-length score over Jaycito. Odds-on favourite Tapizar could not get to the lead and faded out of the places.
Santa Anita: Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Grade 2) 1m½f, dirt, 3yo
A massive shock result in the Lewis as 43-1 shot I'll Have Another (Doug O'Neill/Mario Gutierrez) beat a field full of highly rated types in this Kentucky Derby trial.
The 6-4 favourite Liaison clipped heels in the stretch and did not finish, but left the track on his feet.
Santa Anita: Arcadia Stakes (Grade 2) 1m, turf, 3yo+
Former Irish-trained Group 1 winner Pathfork was unplaced on his US debut behind top turf performer Mr. Commons (John Shirreffs/Mike Smith).
Comments