Welcome to Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, where we take a look each week at a recent winner on the Road to the Derby schedule that distributes qualifying points for the 1 ¼-mile classic race May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs.

This week, we take a closer look at Captain Cook, the winner by 2 ¼ lengths of the $250,000 Withers Stakes Feb. 1 at Aqueduct. The Practical Joke colt earned 20 points toward qualifying for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and ranks sixth on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

Racing Résumé: Captain Cook was purchased for $410,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November horses of racing age sale as part of the consignment of the Estate of John Henrickson. The colt had finished sixth in his October 2024 debut for breeder Marylou Whitney Stables before he was sold at auction to St. Elias Stable and transferred to Rick Dutrow Jr.

Captain Cook won his first start for his new connections by 9 ¼ lengths sprinting seven-eighths of a mile on a sloppy track Dec. 28 at Aqueduct, and the Withers provided a test of class in facing stakes competition for the first time and stamina in stretching out in distance to 1 1/8 miles. Captain Cook navigated the challenge with aplomb in drawing away from Surfside Moon in the stretch to a 2 ¼-length victory in 1:51.83. His final quarter-mile in :24.98 and a final eighth of a mile in :12.61 both represent strong times at this distance for a 3-year-old in winter.

Speed Figures: Captain Cook improved his Equibase Speed Figure seven points to a new career-best 97 and earned a career-top 94 Beyer Speed Figure, an 11-point jump. The latter is particularly promising for a 3-year-old stretching out in distance in his third career race.

Running Style: After a troubled start in his career debut, Captain Cook has shown good early speed in his two races for Dutrow with the ability to stalk the pace while relaxing for his rider Manny Franco. His tactical speed and acceleration are nice weapons at his disposal.

Pedigree Notes: Captain Cook hails from the Marylou Whitney family that produced 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, anchored by his fourth dam (maternal great-great-grandmother), 2004 Broodmare of the Year Dear Birdie. Captain Cook’s dam (mother), Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie, was a winner at one mile who placed in the Grade 3 Forward Gal Stakes as a 3-year-old in 2013. His third dam (maternal great-great-grandmother), Bird Town, won the 2003 Kentucky Oaks en route to the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly.

Captain Cook’s sire (father) is three-time Grade 1 winner Practical Joke, by leading sire Into Mischief. Captain Cook is from the fourth crop of Practical Joke, who already has 45 stakes winners to his credit; however, many of his best runners have been sprinter-milers.

Derby Potential: Trainer Dutrow won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2008 with Big Brown, so he knows how to handle a quality 3-year-old and Captain Cook certainly qualifies. His speed figures are on the rise and the improvement he made when stretching out to 1 1/8 miles was significant. Add in tactical speed plus stamina from a family that produced Birdstone and there is much to like in terms of Kentucky Derby potential. He should be tough to beat in the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes on April 5 at Aqueduct. I’m a big fan.