Risk Taking pays dividends in Withers

Feb 06, 2021 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Risk Taking utilized a big late kick to earn his first points toward a Kentucky Derby berth, closing boldly to take Saturday’s $250,000 at Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct. After recording a maiden victory over the track in mid-December, the Medaglia d’Oro colt posted his second straight win for Chad Brown.

Eric Cancel was up for owner Klaravich Stables, and Risk Taking completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:51.91. He left the starting gate as the 19-10 favorite in the nine-horse field, scoring by a 3 3/4-length margin.

The Withers was worth a combined 17 points (10-4-2-1 scale) as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

Risk Taking rated off the pace in sixth as Jerome S. winner Capo Kane, the 3-1 second choice, showed the way on a clear lead. Cancel asked his mount nearing the conclusion of the far turn, and Risk Taking began edging forward into contention while straightening into the stretch.

Capo Kane was still up by a couple of lengths with about a quarter-mile remaining, but he began to tire and drifted out approaching deep stretch. Risk Taking rallied past on the far outside and drew off late.

Overtook got up to edge Capo Kane at 9-1 odds for second. Capo Kane was well clear of fourth-placer Royal Number, and Eagle Orb, Civil War, Donegal Bay, Shackqueenking, and Mr. Doda completed the order of finish.

Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey, Risk Taking now owns a 4-2-0-0 record. He’s the first stakes winner from the stakes-placed Distorted Humor mare Run a Risk, a half-sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Rey De Café.

Risk Taking was purchased for $240,000 as a yearling at the 2019 Keeneland September sale.