After visits to Gulfstream (for the Holy Bull and the Forward Gal) and Santa Anita (for the Robert B. Lewis), Picks and Ponderings heads to New York for a look at the Withers Stakes, Aqueduct’s Derby prep for the weekend.  Though the race only drew six horses to vie for shares of a $250,000 purse and Kentucky Derby points (10-4-2-1), the race drew a strong mix of proven runners and sophomores looking for their breakthroughs.

A New York fixture, the Withers Stakes has been run in since 1874 in honour of David D. Withers (1821-92), an early personage in American horse racing.  An original investor in Monmouth Park, he was also the first president of the Board of Control, a forerunner to the Jockey Club.  Inaugurated at Jerome Park, the race has also been run at Morris Park Racecourse, Jamaica Racetrack, Belmont Park, and most recently Aqueduct.

Read more about the Withers Stakes and see my in-depth analysis at Picks and Ponderings, and let me know your thoughts in the comments!