Five of nine entrants in the Grade 3 $300,000 Gotham Stakes are Triple Crown nominees, a subtle sign that this 1-turn mile is more a crossroads race than a tried-and-true Kentucky Derby prep. After all, it’s been since Secretariat, yes THE Secretariat in 1973, that a Gotham alum has worn the roses. But 50 qualifying points for the first Saturday in May are in line for the winner – making it a veritable automatic qualifier.
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Let’s meet the contenders for the Gotham Stakes (Race 10):
#1-BALBOA: He scratched from last week’s Miracle Wood at his Laurel Park home base in exchange for this spot. The Brittany Russell trainee returns to the Big A for a third time: third in the Remsen, second in the Jerome and looking to notch his first graded stakes victory. The $875,000 Not This Time colt began his career with Bob Baffert in California before hitting the transfer portal.
#2-HAMMOND: Gulfstream-based sprinter stretches out beyond 7 furlongs for the first time. Exits a third-place try in the Swale behind Saffie Joseph Jr. stablemate Solitude Dude, arguably the top 3-year-old sprinter in the country. Hammond is from the first crop of sire Charlatan, an elite speedster who extended to 1-1/8 miles in winning the 2020 Arkansas Derby.
#3-CROWN THE BUCKEYE: Ohio-bred speed merchant set the pace but failed to sustain in the Gun Runner and Lecomte this winter at Fair Grounds. Trainer Mike Maker gets the colt by top-class sprinter Yaupon back around 1 turn for the first time since winning last August’s Cleveland Kindergarten by more than a dozen lengths. Early pace pilot Ricardo Santana has the return mount.
#4-FOURTH AND ONE: Rank early in the 2-turn Withers before wilting, this Jeremiah Englehart trainee cuts back in trip. He broke his maiden at the Big A in a mile and was third over the same trip last year in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes. The Maxfield colt must prove his mettle in open company under Jose Lezcano.
#5-RIGHT TO PARTY: Jan. 10 maiden graduate steps up in class but returns to the same track and distance as his successful second start. A $325,000 Constitution colt, this Kenny McPeek trainee debuted a distant third at Aqueduct behind Gotham return rival Iron Honor. That was over 6 furlongs, and his backers will hope the longer distance can help make up 9 lengths on the horse who breaks next door.
#6-IRON HONOR: Chad Brown’s debut winner Dec. 13 since has seen that form flattered with his second and third-place pursuers returning to win next out. By Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and out of a Blame mare, the stamina should be there to think his 6-furlong unveiling was a feather in his cap – winning a fast race at what likely isn’t his optimal trip. Manny Franco has the return ride.
#7-EXHIBITION ONLY: Trainer Rudy Rodriguez blew up the Withers Feb. 6 with maiden-to-stakes leaper Talk To Me Jimmy and looks for a second NYRA prep trail notch with this fellow, last-out maiden romper for the same ownership. Exhibition Only didn’t make much headway on turf at 2, but flipped a switch Feb. 5 a the Big A, wiring a 1-turn mile by nearly 8 lengths with the addition of Lasix. That medication won’t be in play for the Gotham, so we’ll soon find out more answers about this Complexity colt.
#8-CREOLE CHROME: Fair Grounds-based colt also was cross-entered in Saturday’s Star Guitar Stakes vs. Louisiana-breds on his home track. Trainer Joe Sharp would be sending him on the road to face open company and make his first start beyond 6 furlongs if they head to the Gotham. He’s won 2 of 3, finishing third in the Louisiana Juvenile in his only stakes bid. Expected to remain at home.
#9-DIRTY RICH: Well-traveled sprinter has raced in Kentucky, California and Arkansas and looks for another road test. Peter Miller trains the $35,000 Thousand Words colt who has overachieved to win Oaklawn’s Advent Stakes. He was most recently third to Obliteration, who since ran a bang-up second in the Saudi Derby. Ramon Vazquez, battling at the top of the Oaklawn standings coming into the week, makes the journey with him.
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