D' Funnybone an overwhelming favorite in Withers

Fears that the $150,000

Withers

S. (G3) would be difficult to fill due to the presence of D' FUNNYBONE (D'wildcat)

were alleviated when five others were rounded up for Saturday's feature, the

final graded event of the Aqueduct spring meet. While the numbers were there to

make the race go, the competitiveness of the ancient one-mile fixture remains

debatable as the Rick Dutrow colt figures as an overwhelming favorite in a race

originally designed as America's equivalent of the Two Thousand Guineas.

With the exception of an ill-advised trip west for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile

(G1) on Pro-Ride, D' Funnybone has barely broken a sweat since August. Having

easily claimed the Saratoga Special S. (G2) and Futurity S. (G2) prior to the

Breeders' Cup, there was a brief flirtation with stretching the chestnut out

this season in the hopes of making him a classic contender, but one-turn races

are most likely in his future after comfortable scores in the Hutcheson S.

(G2) and Swale S. (G2) over the winter. While the Woody Stephens S. (G2) and

King's Bishop S. (G1) loom on the horizon, a solid showing in the Withers might

convince D' Funnybone's connections to try older horses next month in the

Metropolitan H. (G1).

Inexperience beyond seven furlongs is D' Funnybone's main weakness, and if

he's going to be upset Saturday it would likely be due to that reason. IBBOYEE (Medallist)

finished third in the Hutcheson and second in the Swale, not losing to D'

Funnybone by much but not exactly getting to him either. However, he might

benefit greatly if D' Funnybone were to be softened up by Fred "Cappy" Capossela

S. winner CASTANEDA (Yonaguska), another speed type. AFLEET AGAIN (Afleet Alex),

second in the Whirlaway S. two back prior to a last-place effort in the Gotham

S. (G3), is another who could make a late impact with the aid of a strong pace.

The Withers field is rounded out by MOST HAPPY FELLA (Ecton Park), the

pacesetter and eventual trailer in the Wood Memorial S. (G1), and the seemingly

overmatched SPANGLED STAR (Distorted Humor), a stablemate of D' Funnybone.