To view a video of the Withers Stakes, click here.

by Mike Curry

Mr. Fantasy rebounded from his first career defeat with a clear victory on Saturday in the $147,000 Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.

The E Dubai colt stalked rank pacesetter Supreme Summit from second under Richard Migliore, surged to a clear lead at the quarter pole, and held off Swale Stakes (G2) winner This Ones for Phil by 1 3/4 lengths to nail down his first career stakes win.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for West Point Thoroughbreds, Donald Brooks, and Nick Cammarano, Mr. Fantasy won his first two starts by a combined margin of 19 lengths before finishing third in the Gotham Stakes (G3) on March 7 in his stakes debut. The Withers victory solidified Mr. Fantasy’s credentials as a contender for some of the top races in the three-year-old division, including the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 16 at Pimlico Race Course.

“Kiaran [McLaughlin] and [assistant] Artie [Magnuson] have done a tremendous job managing his mental attitude,” Migliore said. “If he would act better, I’d think he’d deserve a shot at the Preakness—he’s that talented. Maybe in maturity, he’ll pop out. But he’s the best horse I’ve sat on in a while.”

Mr. Fantasy is a half brother to ill-fated Grade 2 winner Tin Cup Chalice, who died in a training accident on April 17 at Finger Lakes.

Previously undefeated Supreme Summit stumbled at the start before rushing ahead to take the lead, setting a swift pace while drifting nine wide on the backstretch in the one-turn mile. Mr. Fantasy was carried out a bit by Supreme Summit, but settled into second under Migliore through an opening quarter in :23.11 and a half-mile in :45.90.

He took over approaching the stretch and had plenty of stamina in reserve to fend off This Ones for Phil. Mr. Fantasy completed the distance on a track rated as fast in 1:34.91, and boosted his bankroll to $166,000 with three wins in four starts.

“He was a little hot in the paddock. He’s not tough to handle, but he’s a little bit tougher than we are,” Magnuson said. “I think he does better when he gets out on the course and away from everybody. I was glad it didn’t take anything out of the race. 

“There are lots of options for him from here, and we’ll look at everything and let [West Point President] Terry Finley decide.”

Sent off as the 1.85-to-1 favorite, This Ones for Phil was 7 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Gone Astray in the five-horse field.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor