Withers

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The ultra-competitive, $150,000 Withers S. (G3) drew a field for seven
talented sophomores at Aqueduct this Saturday. Swale S. (G2) winner THIS ONE’S
FOR PHIL (Untuttable) drew the rail and has been installed as the morning-line
choice, but this field is too deep to settle for a small mutuel.

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained MR. FANTASY (E Dubai) finished third in the
Gotham S. (G3) to a pair of nice ones last out, and the cutback in trip might do
the trick in here beneath Richard Migliore. The colt won his first two races in
commanding fashion, by a combined 19 lengths, and he’s trained well in advance
of his second graded try. The New York-bred is the speed of the speed and will
hope to make up for a rough week for his immediate family following the tragic
loss of his half-brother, Tin Cup Chalice (Crusader Sword).

We toyed with taking a shot with the Shug McGaughey-trained GONE ASTRAY
(Dixie Union), who looks poised for a career-best effort. The well-meant colt
has been impressive since his juvenile campaign, where he humbled a decent
Saratoga maiden group, and he’s improved in his two starts as a sophomore. Edgar
Prado will guide the colt, who drilled a half-mile in a brisk :46 3/5 leading up
to this event.

JUST A COINCIDENCE (Forestry) ran the race of his life when third in the Wood
Memorial S. (G1) last out, and the much-improved sophomore will hope to run
another big one on this day for Nick Zito. The consistent chestnut took the lead
in midstretch last out prior to tiring late, but the cutback in trip should do
the trick in here. We expect the colt to be coming late under Cornelio
Velasquez.

SUPREME SUMMIT (Cactus Ridge) has been visually impressive in two measured
tallies on the West Coast and will hope to transform his ability to the main
oval, and the East Coast, in this test for Doug O’ Neill. The talented dark bay
has excellent tactical speed and could be good enough in his dirt debut, but
this is a big class jump and stretch out in trip. We won’t discount his chances
but at 5-2 on the morning line, others look more secure in here.

This One’s for Phil ranks first in BRIS Prime Power (145.2) and owns the best
Speed number in the field (111), so it’s obvious that this gelding has a big
chance for Richard Dutrow. With that said, we feel that the chestnut has some
distance limitations and is facing a fine group, so we’ll take a stand against
for the win while including in the exotics.

EVERYDAY HEROES (Awesome Again) has been too much for his Oaklawn
counterparts and gets the acid test in here for Tim Ritchey. The speedy colt
could be any type, but this is a huge class jump and we’ll have to let him beat
us against these seasoned foes. SEAL TEAM (Trippi) beat a first-level allowance
field at Philadelphia Park last out, and the improving sort looks in deep with
this bunch.