Veteran Derby connections back on trail following Captain Cook's win in Withers

Feb 01, 2025 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Captain Cook, who hopped on the classic trail by virtue of a victory in the $250,000 Withers S. at Aqueduct on Saturday, already has a number of connections to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Captain Cook was bred by Marylou Whitney Stables, an outfit that traces back to that of Harry Payne Whitney, who won the Derby in 1915 with Regret and again in 1927 with Whiskery.

The Marylou Whitney Stable was dispersed last year following the death of her widower, John Hendrickson. Shortly after finishing sixth in his debut at Churchill Downs, Captain Cook was sold for $410,000 at the Keeneland November sale to Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable, co-owner of 2017 Derby winner Always Dreaming.

The final connection is Captain Cook's trainer, Rick Dutrow, who saddled Big Brown to a win in the 2008 Derby and has now conditioned Captain Cook to two consecutive wins.

A 9 1/4-length maiden winner at Aqueduct going seven furlongs on Dec. 28, Captain Cook successfully stretched out to 1 1/8 miles in the Withers, scoring by 2 1/4 lengths under Manny Franco over 33-1 outsider Surfside Moon. It was 6 1/2 lengths back to Omaha Omaha in third. Captain Cook completed one lap over the fast Aqueduct surface in 1:51.83.

Captain Cook had no problem stretching out and picks up 20 Kentucky Derby points in the G3 Withers! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/Sr6nt92pU7

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 1, 2025

The order of finish was rounded out by Mo Quality, Uncle Jim, Global Steve, and Covus.

'It feels good that we can head him towards another big race for his next start. I love that,' Dutrow said. 'I'm not thinking about the Derby right now, but he did get the job done the right way and 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.'

Captain Cook earned 20 qualifying points toward the Derby, while Surfside Moon earned 10 points. Omaha Omaha increased his total from five points to 11 points, Mo Quality added four points and now has nine, and Uncle Jim secured two points.

Dutrow said the April 5 Wood Memorial (G2) over the same track and distance as the Withers is a possible next start. That would give Captain Cook potentially three starts into the Derby, the same number Big Brown had in 2008.

Bred in Kentucky, Captain Cook is by Practical Joke and out of the Grade 3-placed Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie. Her third dam was the 2003 champion three-year-old filly Bird Town, a half-sister to Belmont S. (G1) winner Birdstone.