Tipsheet: 2025 Withers Stakes

A cast of seven sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct dirt on Saturday in the $250,000 Withers S. (G3). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the first five across the wire with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 structure. 

Withers Stakes Picks

• #6 Captain Cook
• #5 Mo Quality
• #4 Uncle Jim

Withers Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #6 Captain Cook
• $3 trifecta box 4,5,6

Withers Stakes Contenders

#1 GLOBAL STEVE: Butch Reid pupil ships in from Parx with a 2-for-2 mark in preparation for his graded stakes debut. The chestnut son of Bucchero has rallied for tallies at seven panels in both races to date and is well drawn on the fence for his first attempt at two turns. The Florida-bred will save ground throughout under Mychel Sanchez. 

#2 SURFSIDE MOON: Malibu Moon colt has gone unplaced in a pair of stakes runs in succession and will get back on the main oval following a turf try last time out. The chestnut has flashed some potential leading up to Saturday, but the Keystone State-bred has to get faster to challenge for the upset in this one. Sahin Civaci will be up. 

#3 CORVUS: Vino Rosso colt will face open company after finishing a distant runner-up in a state-bred allowance tilt on the strip in his latest showing. The bay colt has yet to run with the likes of these and can’t be endorsed with Romero Maragh taking the reins. 

#4 UNCLE JIM: Win threat was a fine first-out winner at Keeneland on debut which preceded a third-place allowance result on this surface most recently. The $240,000 son of City of Light is bred to run long and can surely improve while running two turns for the initial time on Saturday. The Kentucky-bred colt will have Jose Lezcano in the irons. 

#5 MO QUALITY: Talented one comes off a solid second in the Smarty Jones S. behind a sharp winner and lands in a very realistic spot on this occasion. This Christopher Davis pupil has flashed good ability in each of his trio of outings to date, and his pedigree suggests that nine panels could be within his scope, as well. Kendrick Carmouche will guide the win contender and have him close throughout. 

#6 CAPTAIN COOK: Top selection brought $410,000 in the fall following a troubled debut, and the bay son of Practical Joke showed why with a powerful, 9 1/4-length romp on the course in graduating in his second run. The Richard Dutrow trainee was professional in his maiden victory, and he looks like the one to beat with something resembling his tour-de-force last time out. Manny Franco retains the mount. 

#7 OMAHA OMAHA: Mike Gorham trainee has improved his Brisnet Speed number with each lifetime showing and made up ground to be a clear second in the Jerome S. on the strip last time out. The Virginia-bred son of Audible appears well suited to the distance of the race and could rally for a share with a well-timed ride from regular jockey Raul Mena.