First Look: Withers is 1 of 3 Kentucky Derby preps this week

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The rescheduled Grade 3 Withers at Aqueduct could have a bigger field, Dubyuhnell has his 2023 debut in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, and Golden Gate Fields hosts the El Camino Real Derby. Those three Kentucky Derby points preps highlight the weekend calendar.

In the only Kentucky Oaks points prep this week, Eclipse Award winner Wonder Wheel meets Malathaat's full sister Julia Shining in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay.

Here's an early look at the likely fields in weekend graded stakes and Derby and Oaks points preps.

Saturday

Withers (G3), Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds, 20-8-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying points

The six who were entered for this race before it was canceled last weekend are expected to remain in the field, which will be redrawn Wednesday. Hit Show, rerouted here from the Southwest (G3), is 2-for-3 and finished fourth in his only trip beyond a mile. After a 9 1/4-length debut win in October, Mr. Ripple was third by a nose last out in an optional-claiming allowance at Gulfstream. Arctic Arrogance has a record of 5: 2-3-0, but his last two losses each were by only a half-length in the Jerome and the Remsen (G2). Three others were added as possible: Classic Catch, Jungfrau and Thirsty John, who also is listed as probable for the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

2023 Withers G3

Fin	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start
	Jungfrau Arrogate	6.27	William I. Mott	1st, GP MSW (12/31/22-R5)
Last Race	1st, GP MSW (12/31/22-R5)
	Classic Catch Classic Empire	5.82	Todd A. Pletcher	3rd, Tam AlwOC (1/13/23-R6)
Last Race	3rd, Tam AlwOC (1/13/23-R6)
	Thirsty John Stay Thirsty	4.79	Walther Solis	1st, 2023 California Cup Derby RS
Last Race	1st, 2023 California Cup Derby RS
	Ninetyprcentmaddie Weigelia	5.12	Robert E. Reid Jr. Abner Adorno	2nd, 2023 Parx Juvenile LS
Last Race	2nd, 2023 Parx Juvenile LS
	General Banker Central Banker	6.23	James W. Ferraro Eric Cancel	3rd, 2023 Jerome LS
Last Race	3rd, 2023 Jerome LS
	Arctic Arrogance Frosted	6.40	Linda Rice Jose Lezcano	2nd, 2023 Jerome LS
Last Race	2nd, 2023 Jerome LS
	Andiamo a Firenze Speightstown	6.05	Kelly J. Breen Kendrick Carmouche	5th, 2023 Jerome LS
Last Race	5th, 2023 Jerome LS
	Hit Show Candy Ride	6.70	Brad H. Cox Manuel Franco	1st, OP AlwOC (12/17/22-R6)
Last Race	1st, OP AlwOC (12/17/22-R6)
	Prove Right Justify	5.05	James K. Chapman Jose A. Gomez	5th, 2023 Turfway Prevue LS
Last Race	5th, 2023 Turfway Prevue LS

Sam F. Davis (G3), Tampa Bay Downs, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds, 20-8-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying points

Dubyuhnell comes back from his Remsen victory for his first start of 2023. Litigate broke his maiden on first try but couldn’t keep up with Cyclone Mischief in an optional-claiming allowance last out. Zydeceaux won the Pasco here by a neck over Champions Dream, who was coming off a win in the Nashua (G3). Prairie Hawk led at every call last out to win an optional-claiming allowance here.

2023 Sam F. Davis G3

Fin	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start
	Dubyuhnell Good Magic	6.76	Danny Gargan	1st, 2022 Remsen G2
Last Race	1st, 2022 Remsen G2
	Litigate Blame	6.48	Todd A. Pletcher	2nd, GP AlwOC (1/8/23-R9)
Last Race	2nd, GP AlwOC (1/8/23-R9)
	Classic Legacy Into Mischief	6.15	William I. Mott	1st, Aqu MSW (12/3/22-R1)
Last Race	1st, Aqu MSW (12/3/22-R1)
	Champions Dream Justify	6.05	Mark E. Casse	2nd, 2023 Pasco LS
Last Race	2nd, 2023 Pasco LS
	Laver Bernardini	5.67	George R. Arnold II	5th, 2023 Mucho Macho Man LS
Last Race	5th, 2023 Mucho Macho Man LS
	Dreaming Of Kona Fast Anna	5.45	Aldana Spieth	1st, 2023 Mucho Macho Man LS
Last Race	1st, 2023 Mucho Macho Man LS
	Prairie Hawk Curlin	4.84	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	1st, Tam AlwOC (1/13/23-R6)
Last Race	1st, Tam AlwOC (1/13/23-R6)
	Worthington Classic Empire	4.67	Michael J. Maker	3rd, 2023 Dania Beach LS
Last Race	3rd, 2023 Dania Beach LS
	Zydeceaux Cajun Breeze	4.34	Ramon Minguet	1st, 2023 Pasco LS
Last Race	1st, 2023 Pasco LS
	Classic Car Wash Noble Bird	3.79	Mark E. Casse	1st, GP Allow (1/6/23-R6)
Last Race	1st, GP Allow (1/6/23-R6)
	Groveland Street Sense	0.00	Eoin G. Harty	2nd, Tam AlwOC (1/13/23-R6)
Last Race	2nd, Tam AlwOC (1/13/23-R6)

El Camino Real Derby (listed), Golden Gate Fields, 1 1/8 miles (synthetic), 3-year-olds, 10-4-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points

Thirsty John led at every call last out in the California Cup Derby at Santa Anita, his first start since he broke his maiden in his May debut. Bob Baffert’s Gilmore and Nullarbor both are coming off maiden wins. Chase the Chaos has a record of 5: 2-2-1 and is coming off a win in an optional-claiming allowance at Golden Gate on Dec. 30.

2023 El Camino Real Derby LS

Fin	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start
	Gilmore Twirling Candy	6.19	Bob Baffert	1st, LRC MSW (12/10/22-R7)
Last Race	1st, LRC MSW (12/10/22-R7)
	Chase The Chaos Astern	6.09	Ed Moger, Jr.	1st, GG AlwOC (12/30/22-R6)
Last Race	1st, GG AlwOC (12/30/22-R6)
	Passarando Tamarando	5.67	Steven Specht	3rd, 2023 California Cup Derby RS
Last Race	3rd, 2023 California Cup Derby RS
	Thirsty John Stay Thirsty	4.79	Peter Miller	1st, 2023 California Cup Derby RS
Last Race	1st, 2023 California Cup Derby RS
	De La Luna Tiznow	4.45	Quinn Howey	1st, GG MSW (1/21/23-R7)
Last Race	1st, GG MSW (1/21/23-R7)
	Nullarbor Candy Ride	3.79	Bob Baffert	1st, SA MdnOC (1/6/23-R8)
Last Race	1st, SA MdnOC (1/6/23-R8)
	Happy Does Southern Image	0.00	Felix Rondan	1st, GG AlwOC (1/21/23-R6)
Last Race	1st, GG AlwOC (1/21/23-R6)
	Harcyn Goldencents	0.00	Steve M. Sherman	1st, GG AlwOC (1/16/23-R2)
Last Race	1st, GG AlwOC (1/16/23-R2)
	Mother's Prayer Rousing Sermon	0.00	Steven Specht	2nd, GG AlwOC (1/21/23-R6)
Last Race	2nd, GG AlwOC (1/21/23-R6)
	Sea Dog Midshipman	0.00	O. J. Jauregui	3rd, GG AlwOC (1/21/23-R6)
Last Race	3rd, GG AlwOC (1/21/23-R6)

Suncoast (listed), Tampa Bay Downs, one mile and 40 yards, 3-year-old fillies, 20-8-6-4-2 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points

Wonder Wheel, champion female 2-year-old and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Alicibiades (G1), makes her 2023 debut in this race. Julia Shining, a full sister to Malathaat, won the Demoiselle (G2) by a neck in her last start to go 2-for-2. Opus Forty Two won her last two starts, including the Gasparilla here by a nose over Charlie’s Wish, also expected in this race.

2023 Suncoast Stakes LS

Fin	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start
	Wonder Wheel Into Mischief	7.14	Mark E. Casse	1st, 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies G1
Last Race	1st, 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies G1
	Julia Shining Curlin	4.93	Todd A. Pletcher	1st, 2022 Demoiselle G2
Last Race	1st, 2022 Demoiselle G2
	Ticker Tape Home Medaglia d'Oro	4.45	Mark E. Casse	2nd, 2022 Display LS
Last Race	2nd, 2022 Display LS
	Champagne Calling Empire Maker	4.12	Ian R. Wilkes	1st, Tam MSW (1/7/23-R2)
Last Race	1st, Tam MSW (1/7/23-R2)
	Charlie's Wish First Dude	4.12	David Fawkes	2nd, 2023 Gasparilla LS
Last Race	2nd, 2023 Gasparilla LS
	Navy Goat Army Mule	4.12	Arnaud Delacour	3rd, 2023 Ginger Brew LS
Last Race	3rd, 2023 Ginger Brew LS
	Guns N' Graces Gun Runner	0.00	Chad C. Brown	1st, Tam MSW (12/23/22-R6)
Last Race	1st, Tam MSW (12/23/22-R6)
	Opus Forty Two Mendelssohn	0.00	Arnaud Delacour	1st, 2023 Gasparilla LS
Last Race	1st, 2023 Gasparilla LS

Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint (G3), Gulfstream, five furlongs (turf), 4-year-olds and up

County Final switches between dirt and turf; he finished fifth last out in a seven-furlong dirt race here. Before that, he won a Churchill Downs optional-claiming allowance race at five furlongs. Carotari was 2-for-5 last year with his last score two starts back in the Laurel Dash at this distance.

2023 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint G3

Fin	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start
	Rockcrest Old Forester	4.79	Nigel R. Burke Shaun X. Bridgmohan	2nd, 2022 Vigil G3
Last Race	2nd, 2022 Vigil G3
	County Final Oxbow	5.62	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Edgard J. Zayas	5th, 2022 Mr. Prospector G3
Last Race	5th, 2022 Mr. Prospector G3
	Belgrano War Front	4.45	Frank Russo Paco Lopez	1st, 2022 Janus LS
Last Race	1st, 2022 Janus LS
	Carotari Artie Schiller	5.45	Brian A. Lynch Joel Rosario	4th, 2022 Janus LS
Last Race	4th, 2022 Janus LS
	Yes I Am Free Uncaptured	5.12	Laura Cazares Miguel Angel Vazquez	8th, 2022 Bob Umphrey Sprint LS
Last Race	8th, 2022 Bob Umphrey Sprint LS
	My Pal Mattie My Pal Charlie	0.00	Lee Thomas Chantal Sutherland

	Full Disclosure Cajun Breeze	4.12	Elizabeth L. Dobles Leonel Reyes	6th, GP AlwOC (5/1/22-R8)
Last Race	6th, GP AlwOC (5/1/22-R8)
	Shekky Shebaz Cape Blanco	5.84	Bonnie Lucas Javier J. Castellano	3rd, GP AlwOC (4/1/22-R8)
Last Race	3rd, GP AlwOC (4/1/22-R8)
	The Critical Way Tizway	4.79	Jose H Delgado Sonny Leon	6th, 2022 Lucky Coin LS
Last Race	6th, 2022 Lucky Coin LS
	Classicstateofmind Classic Empire	4.12	Jose D'Angelo Edgar Perez	7th, 2022 Janus LS
Last Race	7th, 2022 Janus LS

Sweet Life (G3), Santa Anita, 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), 3-year-old fillies

The second- and third-place finishers from last month’s Santa Ynez (G3) could meet again here. Satin Doll was a head in front of Fast and Shiny in the seven-furlong race. Manhattan Jungle came back from her eighth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf to finish second in the Blue Norther, ahead of several possible in this race.

2023 Sweet Life Stakes G3

Fin	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start
	Fast And Shiny Bernardini	5.12	Bob Baffert	3rd, 2023 Santa Ynez G3
Last Race	3rd, 2023 Santa Ynez G3
	Satin Doll Congrats	4.79	Doug F. O'Neill	2nd, 2023 Santa Ynez G3
Last Race	2nd, 2023 Santa Ynez G3
	Happy Gal Runhappy	4.45	Doug F. O'Neill	5th, SA AlwOC (1/8/23-R7)
Last Race	5th, SA AlwOC (1/8/23-R7)
	Excelia Exceed And Excel	4.12	Philip D'Amato	3rd, SA AlwOC (1/8/23-R7)
Last Race	3rd, SA AlwOC (1/8/23-R7)
	Naughty Lottie Midnight Lute	4.12	Justin Jeansonne	6th, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
Last Race	6th, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
	Ragtime Rose Union Rags	4.12	Jeff Mullins	10th, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
Last Race	10th, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
	Ag Bullet Twirling Candy	0.00	George Papaprodromou	1st, SA MSW (1/22/23-R9)
Last Race	1st, SA MSW (1/22/23-R9)
	Arinniti Karakontie	0.00	Richard E. Mandella	2nd, Naa MSW (6/22/22-R1)
Last Race	2nd, Naa MSW (6/22/22-R1)
	Carole Lombard Grazen	0.00	Philip D'Amato	5th, 2023 California Cup Oaks RS
Last Race	5th, 2023 California Cup Oaks RS
	Decorated My Life Mehmas	0.00	Simon Callaghan	8th, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
Last Race	8th, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
	Havana Angel Havana Grey	0.00	Leonard Powell	7th, 2022 Golden Nugget LS
Last Race	7th, 2022 Golden Nugget LS
	Itzel Mo Town	0.00	Peter Miller	1st, SA Mcl (1/20/23-R5)
Last Race	1st, SA Mcl (1/20/23-R5)
	Manhattan Jungle Bungle Inthejungle	0.00	Michael W. McCarthy	2nd, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
Last Race	2nd, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
	Pleasant Wave More Than Ready	0.00	George Papaprodromou	9th, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
Last Race	9th, 2022 Blue Norther Stakes LS
	The Wild Grazer Gustav Klimt	0.00	Jeff Mullins	1st, SA AlwOC (1/8/23-R7)
Last Race	1st, SA AlwOC (1/8/23-R7)