Godolphin hope Alpha in action at Aqueduct
Preview: USA, Saturday 9.05pm GMT
Aqueduct: Withers Stakes (Group 3) 1m½f, dirt, 3yo
GODOLPHIN'S Kentucky Derby hope Alpha (Kiaran McLaughlin/Ramon Dominguez), already a winner in the States this year, steps up to Grade 3 company in the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday.
Tried in the highest grade as a two-year-old when he was second to Kentucky favourite Union Rags in the Champagne Stakes, the son of Bernardini took the Count Fleet Stakes by 2½ lengths four weeks ago at the New York venue.
Alpha is rated a 33-1 chance for the Kentucky Derby with British bookmakers. "He is doing great at the moment," said McLaughlin, speaking on the Godolphin website.
"I am very happy that he drew stall seven because it means that he is not going to be in the gate very long, which can be a bit of a worry for him. It's a natural step up for himand I hope that he can run well - we're looking for graded earnings in this spot."
The Kentucky Derby field is determined on the basis of prize-money accrued in graded company, making Saturday's $200,000 contest an attractive option for Alpha.
"Like every other three-year-old that has hopes and visions of running on the first Saturday in May, that's what we're after," he said. "It's a graded race, unlike last year, so it's very important to start banking some earnings from a colt that we like a lot."
Alpha is sure to start hot favourite against six rivals including Gulfstream Park Derby third King Kid plus recent Laurel Park winners Hakama and Tiger Walk.
Also on Saturday
Tampa Bay Downs: Sam F. Davis Stakes (Grade 3) 1m½f, dirt, 3yo (10.10pm GMT, live on ATR)
Todd Pletcher has an embarrassment of riches as he chases his second Kentucky Derby victory after Super Saver two years ago.
Having won the Sam Davis in four of the last six years, he saddles maiden winner Ecabroni (Javier Castellano) on the $250,000 contest, where opponents include Grade 2 winner State Of Play (Graham Motion/Alan Garcia), who represents last year's Derby-winning trainer. Breaking from the inner, he must concede 6lb to Ecabroni
Santa Anita: Arcadia Stakes (Grade 2) 1m, turf, 3yo+ (9.31pm GMT)
Irish Group 1 winner Pathfork (John Sadler/Joel Rosario) makes his US debut here after leaving Jessica Harrington's yard. The four-year-old, winner of the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at The Curragh as a juvenile, hasn't run since finishing seventh in Frankel's Guineas.
Pathfork faces a potentially smart rival in US turf specialist Mr.Commons (John Shirreffs/Mike Smith), a 3½-length winner in similar company here on Boxing Day.
Santa Anita: Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Grade 2) 1m½f, dirt, 3yo (11.05pm GMT)
The progressive Liaison (Bob Baffert/Rafael Bejarano) and Rousing Sermon (Jerry Hollendorfer/Joe Talamo) clash again after filling the first two places in the CashCall Futurity on the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park in December.
Santa Anita: Strub Stakes (Grade 2) 1m1f, dirt, 4yo (12.07am Sun GMT)
Speedy Tapizar(Steve Asmussen/Corey Nakatani) is sure to start hot favourite as he steps up half a furlong following a comfortable victory in last month's San Fernando Stakes.
He could face pressure on the lead from fellow front-runner Ultimate Eagle (Mike Pender/Martin Pedroza), winner of the Oak Tree Derby and Hollywood Derby last year on turf.
Getting a useful 5lb from the pair are the Bob Baffert duo Jaycito (Martin Garcia) and Prayer For Relief (Rafael Bejarano), drawn one and two respectively in the $200,000 event.
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