Courvoisier looks to keep win streak alive in Withers

Feb 02, 2022 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Courvoisier, who emerged from the fog to win the Jerome S. on New
Year's Day, should encounter clearer but cold weather when he attempts to extend
his current win streak in Saturday's $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct. The
Withers, run over one lap of the Big A's 1 1/8-mile oval, will offer Kentucky
Derby (G1) qualifying points of 10-4-2-1 to the respective top four finishers.

A 14-1 maiden winner over the Withers track and distance in December,
Courvoisier successfully cut back to a mile to post a 1 1/4-length win in the
Jerome against seven rivals. In the process, the regally-bred colt earned 10
qualifying points toward the Derby.

By Tapit, Courvoisier is out of the 2014 champion juvenile filly Take Charge
Brandi, a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Omaha Beach. Courvoisier's
third dam, multiple Grade 1 winner and Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady,
reared champion three-year-old Will Take Charge and Florida Derby (G1) hero Take
Charge Indy.

Back to oppose Courvoisier are Smarten Up and Cooke Creek, the
respective second- and third-place finishers in the Jerome. However, several
recent maiden winners might prove more dangerous.

The Chad Brown-trained Early Voting, who won on debut over a mile in
December, is another blue blood contender. By hot freshman sire Gun Runner, his
dam is a half-sister to sprint champion and noted sire Speightstown.

Gilded Age improved dramatically when adding blinkers at Churchill
Downs in November for Bill Mott, scoring by 2 3/4 lengths in his fourth maiden
attempt. The Medaglia d'Oro colt is out of Grade 1 vixen Angela Renee, a
half-sister to multiple Grade 1 score To Honor and Serve. Constitutionlawyer,
third to Courvoisier in the latter's maiden win two back, enters off his own
graduation performance over the Withers trip by 3 1/2 lengths.

Besides Courvoisier and Cooke Creek, the only other multiple winner in the
field is stakes newcomer Noneedtoworry, who exits two upset scores at
Parx against in a maiden and an allowance.

Post time for the Withers is 4:25 p.m. ET. The race can be watched and
wagered on at
TwinSpires.com.