Supreme Summit reaches for Withers peak

The horse grabbing most of the headlines in Doug O'Neill's barn these days is

Square Eddie (Smart Strike), who made an improbable comeback from a shin injury

suffered earlier this year to earn a berth in the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1).

However, there's no mistaking the enthusiasm in O'Neill's voice when he starts

talking about another three-year-old colt in his stable, the lightly-raced

SUPREME SUMMIT (Cactus Ridge), who will be putting his unbeaten two-for-two

record on the line in the 130th running of the $150,000

Withers S. (G3) going

one-mile at Aqueduct on Saturday.

"He's an extremely talented colt and we were elated about his first two

starts," O'Neill said from California. "We've had high hopes for this guy before

he even made his debut."

Owned by Joseph P. LaCombe, Supreme Summit made his first start on February 7

at Santa Anita, rallying from just off the pace to post a game 1 1/4-length

victory going 5 1/2 furlongs. In his next start, he was even more convincing,

grabbing the lead at the start and pulling clear to a three-length win on March

11 in an allowance/optional claimer that earned him a trip to New York for his

dirt debut in the Withers, in which he drew post 4.

"There's a couple of big hurdles ahead of him," said O'Neil, who will give a

leg up to Eibar Coa. "We have to see how he travels, and we'll have to see how

he handles the dirt. But if we are happy with what we see, the (May 16)

Preakness ([G1] at Pimlico) is something we might consider."

Also bringing an undefeated record to the Big A from elsewhere is Cash

Counters' EVERYDAY HEROES (Awesome Again), who is three-for-three sprinting at

Oaklawn Park. The bay colt drew post 6 for the Withers and will be ridden by

Jose Caraballo.

"This is a perfect time to try and stretch him out a little," said trainer

Tim Ritchey of Everyday Heroes, a $400,000 yearling purchase at Saratoga. "A

one-turn mile right now is an ideal spot to test the waters. If he does well, we

would try a two-turn mile. He's got a world of potential."

Already beginning to fulfill his potential is Paul Pompa Jr.'s THIS ONES FOR

PHIL (Untuttable), who was declared the winner of the Swale S. (G2) at

Gulfstream Park in his last start after being bumped in the stretch by Big Drama

(Montrbook). The Florida-bred chestnut gelding has won four of his 11 starts,

including the Sunshine Millions Dash in his first start for trainer Richard

Dutrow Jr. on January 24.

"He's been doing great since he got up to New York in early April," Dutrow

said. "He's been training good over the track, he's eating everything, and,

hopefully, he'll run a big race. This is a big race for him."

This Ones for Phil, who drew the rail and will carry top weight of 123

pounds, has the services of the Big A's leading rider, Ramon Dominguez.

The Withers also drew a trio of familiar faces to New York racing fans in

West Point Thoroughbreds' MR. FANTASY (E Dubai), third in the Gotham S. (G3);

the Phipps Stable's GONE ASTRAY (Dixie Union), a 5 1/4-length allowance winner

at Aqueduct on April 4; and Robert V. LaPenta's JUST A COINCIDENCE (Forestry),

third in the Wood Memorial (G1).

"We opted to skip the Wood and give him a little time," trainer Kiaran

McLaughlin said of Mr. Fantasy, who had taken his first two starts by a combined

winning margin of 19 lengths and will be ridden in the Withers by Richard

Migliore. "He's got speed inside and speed outside, but I like the No. 5 post.

He's pretty fast, but he doesn't have to be on the lead."

Gone Astray, one of two promising three-year-olds in Hall of Famer Shug

McGaughey's barn -- the other being Imperial Council (Empire Maker) -- was fifth

in the Futurity (G2) and fourth in the Champagne S. (G1) last season. In his

first start of 2009, the dark bay was second to Just a Coincidence at Gulfstream

Park on March 11. He will break from post 2 and be ridden by Hall of Famer Edgar

Prado.

"This is the next step in a natural progression," McGaughey said. "It's a

pretty solid race. Mr. Fantasy ran well in the Gotham, Just a Coincidence beat

us and then ran good in the Wood...I'll find out something about Gone Astray in

this race."

Just a Coincidence broke his maiden at Gulfstream Park on February 21 in his

sixth start and came back to win an allowance there at a mile before making his

stakes debut in the Wood. He will leave the gate from the far outside post 7

under jockey Cornelio Velasquez.

Rounding out the field is Maggi Moss's SEAL TEAM (Trippi), 2-1-0 in three

starts at Philadelphia Park so far this year for trainer Steve Amussen. Seal

Team drew post 3 and will be ridden by Stewart Elliott.