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New York-breds Samraat (Noble Causeway) and Uncle Sigh (Indian Charlie), co-favored at even-money in the GIII Withers S., put on a show for the Big A faithful Saturday, with the former getting the nod by a length after a 1 1/16-mile throwdown. “Hats off to both horses,” winning trainer Rick Violette said. “They ran a huge, huge race today, and I think they’ll show up later in the year.” Trainer Gary Contessa added, “Maybe he got me on experience today; I look forward to Rocky II. That’s how I feel after a race like this; this was Rocky, I’m ready for Rocky II.” 

Samraat, a debut winner at Belmont Oct. 23, cleared his first state-bred condition going 7 1/2 furlongs at Aqueduct Nov. 22. He handled his first two-turn test in style with a 16 3/4-length romp in the Damon Runyon S. Dec. 18, and was well-supported for this first foray into open company after training at Palm Meadows. With regular rider Jose Ortiz aboard, Samraat had the early advantage as they streaked under the wire for the first time, but let Uncle Sigh take a narrow lead shortly thereafter. Glued to his flank through fractions of :24.00 and :48.33, Samraat reached even terms with Uncle Sigh as they straightened for home. It appeared as if Samraat would go on for an easy score, but Uncle Sigh kept fighting on gamely from along the inside. It just wasn’t enough to hold off Samraat though, who edged clear late while racing on his left lead. 

“We might wait for the [GI] Wood Memorial [Apr. 5],” Violette added. “We’re in a good spot now. If he’s kind of kicking the walls down he can certainly come back for the [GIII] Gotham [Mar. 1]; there are a lot of options. You got to [have a tough race] before you get to the bigger races. They have to learn how to fight.” 

Samraat is owned by Len Riggio’s My Meadowview Farm, the chairman of Barnes and Noble. Samraat’s dam Little Indian Girl (Indian Charlie), purchased by My Meadowview for $150,000 while in foal to Malibu Moon in 2007, produced a Harlan’s Holiday filly in 2012.

Saturday, Aqueduct 
WITHERS S.-GIII, $250,000, AQU, 2-1, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:46 1/5, ft. 
1–@SAMRAAT, 118, c, 3, by Noble Causeway 
     1st Dam: Little Indian Girl, by Indian Charlie 
     2nd Dam: Brighter Than Gold, by Light Idea 
     3rd Dam: Princess Born, by Brent’s Prince 
O/B-My Meadowview Farm (NY); T-Richard A Violette Jr; J-Jose L 
Ortiz. $150,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $283,200. *1/2 to Original 
Fate (Grand Slam), SP-Jpn, $793,248; Screen Legend (Tiznow), GSP. 
Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 
2–Uncle Sigh, 116, c, 3, Indian Charlie–Cradlesong, by Pine Bluff. 
($270,000 yrl ’12 FTNAUG). O-Wounded Warrior Stables & Anthony 
Robertson; B-Milfer Farm Inc (NY); T-Gary C Contessa. $50,000. 
3–Scotland, 117, c, 3, Horse Greeley–Varus, by Vicar. ($14,000 yrl ’12 
KEESEP; $310,000 2yo ‘13 OBSAPR). O-H Clarke, P Braverman & 
Team D; B-Trackside Farm & C Blackey (KY); T-A Dutrow. $25,000. 
Margins: 1, 10 1/4, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.15, 1.15, 15.00. 
Also Ran: Classic Giacnroll, Honorable Judge, Street Gent. Click for the brisnet.com chart or the brisnet.com PPs. VIDEO. Click here to share this result.