Ozone Park, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Far From Over, ridden by Manuel Franco,
overcame a horrible start to capture Saturday’s $250,000 Withers Stakes at
Aqueduct.
The 1 1/16-mile Withers is a prep for Aqueduct’s $1 million Wood Memorial on
April 4 and was worth 10 points to the winner as part of the Kentucky Derby
points system.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Far From Over, starting from post 2, went to his
knees when the gate opened and found himself last in the six-horse field of
3-year-olds. Far From Over was making just his second career start and went
off as the 6-1 third choice.
Setting the pace was 7-2 second pick Classy Class with 1-2 favorite El Kabeir
to the outside prompting the lead.
Far From Over continued to trail as the field went up the backstretch and into
the far turn. Owned by Black Rock Thoroughbreds, Far From Over began to
advance along the rail on the final turn.
El Kabeir and Classy Class were locked in a duel down the stretch as Far From
Over gained ground and took the lead nearing the finish. Far From Over posted
a 1 1/2-length victory over Jerome Stakes winner El Kabeir with Classy Class
third.
Tencendur was fourth followed by March and General Bellamy. Unrivaled was an
early scratch.
The time for the Withers was 1:43.93 on a fast track.
Far From Over is now perfect in two starts and picked up $150,000 with the
win. The 3-year-old made his debut last Dec. 12 at Aqueduct and registered a
nose victory. Far From Over has earned $186,000.
Far From Over returned $14.40, $4.20 and $2.60. El Kabeir paid $2.50 and
$2.10, and Classy Class paid $2.40 to show.
