Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Captain Cook

Feb 04, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Captain Cook wins the Withers at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Joe Labozzetta)

St. Elias Stable’s Captain Cook picked up 20 qualifying points on the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his 2 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct on Feb. 1. Trained by Rick Dutrow and piloted home by Manny Franco, the winner completed nine furlongs on the fast main oval 1:51.83 en route to his first stakes triumph.

“It was his first time two turns, and I was a little bit worried about that, but at the same time confident because I’ve been working him in the mornings, and I got to know him well”, Franco stated. “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.”

Surfside Moon, Omaha Omaha, Mo Quality, and Uncle Jim rounded out the top five and earned points on a 10-6-4-2 structure.

Captain Cook handled 1 1/8 miles without difficulty when making his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut in the Withers https://t.co/Fj61n25JcR Aqueduct, pouncing from just off the pace to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

KyDerby151 Pedigree Profile https://t.co/WCeJXIVwTz

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 4, 2025

The son of Practical Joke made his debut on Oct. 27 at Churchill Downs and endured a troubled trip when checking in a productive fifth in maiden special weight dash over six furlongs. Prior to the Withers, the colt ran off to a commanding, 9 1/4-length tally over a sloppy surface at Aqueduct on Dec. 28 in a seven-furlong maiden heat. His career mark now reads 3-2-0-0, $188,256.

Captain Cook was bred in the Bluegrass State by Marylou Whitney Stables, and the youngster fetched a bid of $410,000 at the 2024 November Horses of Racing Age Sale at Keeneland in between his first and second starts. He is the initial stakes winner produced from the Grade-2 placed Indian Charlie mare Pow Wow Wow. This is the same female line as champion three-year-old filly Bird Town as well as three-time Grade 1 victor Birdstone, who was victorious in the 2004 Belmont S. (G1) and Travers S. (G1).

The improving sophomore has earned Brisnet Speed figures of 83-92-100 from his trio of career outings with his best effort coming in his two-turn bow in the Withers. He is bred to handle a classic distance, and Captain Cook will be pointed towards a start in the $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G2) at Aqueduct on April 5.