Welcome to Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, the place we have a look every week at a current winner on the Highway to the Derby schedule that distributes qualifying factors for the 1 ¼-mile basic race Might 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs.
This week, we take a more in-depth take a look at Captain Cook dinner, the winner by 2 ¼ lengths of the $250,000 Withers Stakes Feb. 1 at Aqueduct. The Sensible Joke colt earned 20 factors towards qualifying for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve and ranks sixth on the Highway to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Racing Résumé: Captain Cook dinner was bought for $410,000 on the 2024 Keeneland November horses of racing age sale as a part of the consignment of the Property of John Henrickson. The colt had completed sixth in his October 2024 debut for breeder Marylou Whitney Stables earlier than he was offered at public sale to St. Elias Steady and transferred to Rick Dutrow Jr.
Captain Cook dinner received his first begin for his new connections by 9 ¼ lengths sprinting seven-eighths of a mile on a sloppy monitor Dec. 28 at Aqueduct, and the Withers offered a take a look at of sophistication in going through stakes competitors for the primary time and stamina in stretching out in distance to 1 1/8 miles. Captain Cook dinner navigated the problem with aplomb in drawing away from Surfside Moon within the stretch to a 2 ¼-length victory in 1:51.83. His last quarter-mile in :24.98 and a last eighth of a mile in :12.61 each signify sturdy occasions at this distance for a 3-year-old in winter.
Pace Figures: Captain Cook dinner improved his Equibase Pace Determine seven factors to a brand new career-best 97 and earned a career-top 94 Beyer Pace Determine, an 11-point leap. The latter is especially promising for a 3-year-old stretching out in distance in his third profession race.
Operating Model: After a troubled begin in his profession debut, Captain Cook dinner has proven good early velocity in his two races for Dutrow with the power to stalk the tempo whereas enjoyable for his rider Manny Franco. His tactical velocity and acceleration are good weapons at his disposal.
Pedigree Notes: Captain Cook dinner hails from the Marylou Whitney household that produced 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, anchored by his fourth dam (maternal great-great-grandmother), 2004 Broodmare of the Yr Expensive Birdie. Captain Cook dinner’s dam (mom), Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie, was a winner at one mile who positioned within the Grade 3 Ahead Gal Stakes as a 3-year-old in 2013. His third dam (maternal great-great-grandmother), Fowl City, received the 2003 Kentucky Oaks en path to the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly.
Captain Cook dinner’s sire (father) is three-time Grade 1 winner Sensible Joke, by main sire Into Mischief. Captain Cook dinner is from the fourth crop of Sensible Joke, who already has 45 stakes winners to his credit score; nevertheless, a lot of his finest runners have been sprinter-milers.
Derby Potential: Coach Dutrow received the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2008 with Massive Brown, so he is aware of the best way to deal with a top quality 3-year-old and Captain Cook dinner definitely qualifies. His velocity figures are on the rise and the advance he made when stretching out to 1 1/8 miles was vital. Add in tactical velocity plus stamina from a household that produced Birdstone and there may be a lot to love by way of Kentucky Derby potential. He must be powerful to beat within the $750,000 Wooden Memorial Stakes on April 5 at Aqueduct. I’m a giant fan.
