Captain Cook runs away in the Withers (Chelsea Durand)
Secures 20 Qualifying Points Towards Kentucky Derby
Christian Abdo/NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – St. Elias Stable’s Captain Cook announced his presence on the Kentucky Derby trail with a winning stakes debut in Saturday’s Listed $250,000 Withers, a nine-furlong test for sophomores, at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Withers, a prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offered the top-five finishers 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points, respectively, towards the prestigious Grade 1 test on May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr., the Practical Joke bay entered from a 9 1/4-length second-out graduation in a local seven-furlong maiden on December 28. On Saturday, he validated that performance while stretching out in distance and around two turns for the first time.
“It feels good that we can head him towards another big race for his next start. I love that. I’m not thinking about the Derby right now, but he did get the job done the right way,” said Dutrow, Jr., who won the 2008 Kentucky Derby with Big Brown. “He went three-wide around both turns here, didn’t break so sharp. First time around two turns, mile and an eighth – he ran big.”
Piloted by Manny Franco, Captain Cook exited post 6 a half-step slower than Uncle Jim and Mo Quality to his inside, and he settled into third position behind that pair heading into the first turn through an opening quarter-mile in 24.11 seconds on the fast main track.
Uncle Jim held a one-length lead over Mo Quality and Captain Cook into the backside, with two more lengths back to the ground-saving Global Steve and Surfside Moon following him as the half-mile elapsed in 49.13.
The front trio were on even terms entering the second turn with Surfside Moon coming alive from fifth position as Global Steve stalled. Captain Cook traveled outside of Uncle Jim and Mo Quality around the far turn with three-quarters down in 1:13.64, but Franco was still a statue in the saddle.
Captain Cook was asked by Franco at the top of the lane, and he quickly passed his forwardly-placed counterparts, but 33-1 longshot Surfside Moon was rallying to his outside and making significant headway under Sahin Civaci.
Captain Cook was one length in front of the oncoming Surfside Moon after one-mile in 1:39.22, and would not be denied, driving home to a 2 1/4 length victory in a final time of 1:51.83.
CAPTAIN COOK charts his course to the @KentuckyDerby with a win in the Withers Stakes! He picks up 20 points on the Road to the Derby with @jockeyfranco up for trainer @RickDutrow59. pic.twitter.com/TUrEjTcZj0
— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) February 1, 2025
Surfside Moon was 6 1/2 lengths ahead of the slow-starting Omaha Omaha, with 7 1/2 lengths to Mo Quality in fourth. Uncle Jim, Global Steve, and Corvus completed the order of finish.
Franco said the distance was his one concern after being aboard for the impressive maiden win that earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure.
“It was his first time two turns, and I was a little bit worried about that,” said Franco. “But at the same time confident because I’ve been working him in the mornings, and I got to know him well. I knew he had stamina, but you never know. He proved he’s a runner.
“He can do anything you want. He can stalk. He can be on the pace. He’s a versatile horse,” Franco continued.
Captain Cook was sixth in his six-furlong debut made for conditioner Norm Casse in October at Churchill Downs before being purchased for $410,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age sale.
Dutrow, Jr. said he has observed steady development in his time with the now Withers-winner.
“We’re very happy with him, man. We have been happy with him since he’s run. Coming up to this race, we were kind of just not knowing where we were at. Since we’ve seen him run the first time, we began to get more confidence and got to know him better,” Dutrow, Jr. said. “I got to see him come out of a race, stuff like that, and it’s all been good since he’s run. I hope that continues on.”
Dutrow, Jr. said a potential next start for Captain Cook is in the nine-furlong Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino, a 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifier, on April 5 here.
“We’re very excited about running him back in the Wood, and I think that’s the next reasonable spot – a mile and an eighth, plenty of time, which he likes,” Dutrow, Jr. said. “Any horse would like plenty of time. We’ve got a target, we’re happy, we’re excited.”
Trainer James Lawrence, II, of runner-up Surfside Moon, said his horse came with a good performance in his first effort since the Listed Awad in October here, which was contested at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
“We gave him a layoff for 30 days and brought him back. He had three real nice works and his last work; he couldn’t blow out a match,” said Lawrence, II. “I expected him to run well. I really like this horse and hopefully we can map out a good plan for him.”
Lawrence, II, added that a potential next start for Surfside Moon could come in either the Wood Memorial or the Virginia Derby, now a dirt race on March 15 offering 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points at Colonial Downs.
Captain Cook banked $137,500 in victory while improving his record to 3-2-0-0 and returning $4.90 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite.
Bred by Marylou Whitney Stables, Captain Cook, is out of the Grade 2-placed Indian Charlie mare Pow Wow Wow. His third dam is 2003 Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner and Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Bird Town, a half-sister of 2004 Grade 1 Belmont Stakes and Travers-victor Birdstone – both out of 2004 Broodmare of the Year Dear Birdie.
Live racing resumes Sunday at the Big A with an eight-race card. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
