Tipsheet: Withers Stakes 2021

A talented and well-matched field of nine 3-year-olds will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct main strip in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers S.(G3). The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby contest will reward the top-four finishers with points on a 10-4-2-1 structure.

Withers Picks

• #5 Risk Taking
• #7 Donegal Bay
• #9 Eagle Orb
• #3 Capo Kane

Withers Wagers

• $20 Win 5
• $5 Key Box Exacta 5 with 7,9
• $1 Trifecta Key 5 with 3,6,7,9

Withers Contenders

#1 SHACKQUEENKING has never failed to reach the top three from five career tries to date. Capuano trainee makes his first start out of Maryland and already has a stakes win to his credit. Chestnut has improved his Brisnet Speed number in three straight and is a logical exotics threat with another move forward.

#2 ROYAL NUMBER is another Maryland shipper coming off his best race to date when dominating allowance foes at Laurel most recently. Palace Malice colt showed a strong turn of foot on that occasion, and he is bred to thrive at the distance on Saturday, as well. Pablo Morales will guide the late runner.

#3 CAPO KANE impressed when leading at every call en route to a daylight score in the Jerome S. for Wyner. Street Sense colt has not been headed in two straight, and the improving bay fired a bullet five-eighths in preparation for his graded debut, too. Dylan Davis retains the mount.

#4 MR DODA looks to be in a tough spot while making his local and stakes bow. Gelded chestnut was a game maiden winner running 5 1/2 furlongs in his most recent showing, but the class rise combined with the stretch-out in distance might be too much for the sophomore at this stage of his development.

#5 RISK TAKING was very impressive in a maiden tally on the surface going nine furlongs last time out for Chad Brown. Top pick responded to the addition of blinkers in his third lifetime performance, and he will be dead-fit with six morning drills in advance of the Withers. Eric Cancel will ride the talented and well-bred colt.

#6 OVERTOOK is the first of two from the Pletcher shedrow coming off a maiden victory. $1 million yearling purchase closed from well back to win in going-away fashion with blinkers removed most recently, and the bay is cut out to be at his best at distances at least this long. The Kentucky-bred picks up Manny Franco for his first with winners.

#7 DONEGAL BAY led throughout to graduate in fine fashion second time out at Gulfstream Park for Pletcher. Gelded son of Uncle Mo lacks the experience of many of his foes in the field, but he has early pace and is training like a horse sitting on another powerful performance. Carmouche will be in the stirrups.

#8 CIVIL WAR was a winner on debut but has failed to hit the board in three subsequent races for Albertrani. The son of Bodemeister has to get much faster to challenge this cast late in the Withers.

#9 EAGLE ORB finished second in the recent Jerome on the surface for Rudy Rodriguez. Stakes winner draws widest of all in the field, but he possesses good tactical speed and figures to be in striking range throughout with his best effort. Orb colt rates as a logical top-three threat under Vargas.