Kentucky Derby 2018 trail: Avery Island wins the Withers Stakes

Throughout Avery Island’s two-month break from the races, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin spoke of the colt’s improvement, describing his last-out effort as an education race. And indeed, the son of Street Sense looked a wiser horse Saturday in winning the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes on the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail.

Coltandmississippi set a hot early pace, but Avery Island didn’t push the issue. He was rewarded with stamina late to hold off multiple graded stakes winner Firenze Fire and Marconi, a $2 million maiden winner, in the 1 1/8-mile Aqueduct feature.

"The best horse really won today," said jockey Joe Bravo. "But he was able to overcome a lot. It's a shame he got beat in his last start, Avery Island, but he learned a lot from it, and it really helped us out today that he was able to sit back off of -- it was going to a very fast pace."

Avery Island was no match last out for Catholic Boy, who made an impressive transition from the Breeders’ Cup Turf to the main track in the Grade 2 Remsen. But two starts back, he won the Grade 2 Nashua Stakes over the Aqueduct strip, so McLaughlin returned Avery Island to New York for Saturday's Withers. In Florida, his other Derby prospect, Enticed, ran in Gulfstream Park's Grade 2 Holy Bull.

Early on, Avery Island ran evenly with Coltandmississippi, who was under urging and outside of the eventual winner. But Bravo backed up his mount entering the back stretch, choosing not to continue on the lead after an opening quarter mile in 23.32 seconds.

"It looked like he was push button, so it was great that he switched off that quick and then switch back on," McLaughlin said.

Avery Island blew by Coltandmississippi — a rabbit of sorts for the Todd Pletcher barn — through the turn and went on to go the distance in 1:51.01.

"He's going to be a bigger and better horse," Bravo said. "He's just relaxed about it."

Longshot California Night scratched, leaving a field of five, three of which were entered by Pletcher.

McLaughlin said plans are pending for Avery Island's next start, though it won't come in the next points-paying prep at Aqueduct, the Grade 3 Gotham, which backs up to a one-mile distance.