Capo Kane tops nine in Withers

Feb 03, 2021 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Jerome S. winner Capo Kane will seek his second consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifier when he lines up against eight challengers in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct.

The 1 1/8-mile Withers will award points on a 10-4-2-1 scale as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

By 2007 Kentucky Derby hero Street Sense, Capo Kane posted a 6 1/4-length, wire-to-wire victory in the one-mile Jerome at Aqueduct on New Year’s Day. The California-bred colt will stretch back out to two turns, breaking his maiden over a mile and 70 yards at Parx two starts previously, and Dylan Davis will retain the mount for trainer Harold Wyner.

Read PPs for the Withers Stakes

Jerome runner-up Eagle Orb, a convincing winner over New York-bred stakes rivals at Aqueduct in mid-November, will also return for the Jerome.

Two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher has entered a pair of last-out maiden winners, Donegal Bay and Overtook. Donegal Bay exits a runaway wire-to-wire tally at Gulfstream in his second start, and Overtook rallied to win going away at Aqueduct in his third outing.

Risk Taking is a contender for Chad Brown. The Medaglia d’Oro colt rolled to a 2 1/4-length decision over maiden special weight rivals when stretching out to 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct in his last outing.

Laurel Park stakes victor Shackqueenking is also among the mix, and Royal Number has invaded from Maryland following a 7 3/4-length romp over allowance/optional claiming foes.

Civil War and Mr. Doda complete the field.