El Kabeir Looks to Take Next Step in Withers

El Kabeir, the current leader on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will look to take the next step toward the starting gate on the first Saturday in May when he tackles the $250,000 Withers Stakes (gr. III) on the inner track Feb. 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The Withers, second leg of the New York Racing Association's lead-up to the $1 million TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 4 at the Big A, offers 10 points to the winner as part of the road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying system. El Kabeir currently tops the Derby leaderboard with 21 points.

A solid 4 3/4-length winner of the Jan. 3 Jerome Stakes (gr. III) at the New York oval and victorious in the Nov. 29 Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, the 3-year-old son of Scat Daddy   made a successful switch in tactics last time out for trainer John Terranova II, when he was able to rate third off the pace before edging clear. His previous scores—the Jockey Club and by 10 3/4 lengths in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga Race Course—came on the front end.  

"Physically he's getting stronger, but he's also maturing mentally," Terranova said. "He rated off the pace (in the Jerome) and he relaxed beautifully. Earlier in his career, he wouldn't do that, but he just needed to grow up. Based on his performance to date and the way he's gone forward, I expect a big effort from him. He's a determined racehorse, both mentally and physically focused."

After breaking his maiden in his second start, El Kabier has steadily contended in graded stakes, finishing fourth in the Champagne Stakes (gr. I) and second in the Nashua (gr. II) before taking the Kentucky Jockey Club and Jerome. He boasts a robust record of 3-1-1 from six starts with earnings of $388,892.

El Kabeir has taken a decidedly different direction than many of his more lightly raced peers. He has run six times since his debut Aug. 14 at Saratoga Race Course, with no layoff lines showing in his past performances. Despite this rigorous schedule, he has thrived while showing marked improvement. 

"We're just going off how he's responding," said Terranova. "If he doesn't run well or doesn't come out of a race well, we'd space out his races, but we're taking it one race at a time. We're blessed to have a sound horse that's been doing very well with the workload he's taken on."

Only two others in the group have previous stakes experience—General Bellamy, who was third when closing in the Jerome after bobbling at the break, and Classy Class, who finished fourth in the Nov. 29 Remsen Stakes (gr. II) and makes his first outing since then.

Cheyenne Stables' Classy Class, a son of Discreetly Mine  , will be making only his third start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, but is the 2-1 second choice on the morning line.

A $250,000 purchase from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s selected sale of 2-year-olds in training, Classy Class made his debut in sensational fashion, blitzing a maiden field by four lengths Oct. 25 at Belmont Park. Stretching out from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, the bay colt made his next start in the Remsen and acquitted himself well after pressing the pace.

"We absolutely think he wants two turns," said McLaughlin's assistant, Arthur Magnuson. "(The Remsen) was only his second start; we went from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles—that's a lot to ask—and he ran very well. We were very pleased with his race. He was ready for the Jerome but we had a bit of an unlucky hiccup; we can't wait for the Withers."

Irad Ortiz, Jr. will be aboard Classy Class from the rail.

A host of recent maiden-breakers are set to tackle El Kabeir and Classy Class, led by the Todd Pletcher-trained Far From Over. A son of Blame   out of the A.P. Indy mare Alchemist, Far From Over made his debut a winning one, contesting the pace for much of the way before digging in grimly to prevail by a nose going a mile and 70 yards over the Big A's inner track Dec. 12.

Joining Far From Over as inner track graduates are March and Tencendur. The former broke his maiden by a neck Jan. 11 for trainer Chad Brown and owner Robert LaPenta, while the latter prevailed by three-quarters of a length over a muddy track Jan. 19 for trainer George Weaver and Philip Birsh.

Unrivaled, a son of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver   trained by Marya Montoya, broke his maiden by 15 lengths at Parx Racing in his most recent start. The Waldorf Racing Stables color-bearer was claimed for $30,000 three starts ago.

Rounding out the field is General Bellamy, who finished third, beaten 12 1/2 lengths in the Jerome, for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and Bach Stables. Previously, the Bellamy Road   colt broke his maiden by 3 1/2 lengths in a one-mile off-the-turf race at Aqueduct Nov. 29. Junior Alvarado rides from the 6 hole.