The 19th Running of The Gotham-G3
Saturday, March 4, 2023
AQU Race #4 $300.000
3YOs 122 Lbs 1-Mile
KYD POINTS RACE (50-20-15-10-5)
Course Record-1:33.67 (Omni-2004)
Stakes Record-1:34.85 (Plan To Wheel-2021)
#1 Tough Customer (Mb Stables/F. Prat): Gelding has taken two of his eight starts, with both wins over NY-bred company. Tried the G2 San Vicente in his seasonal debut where he was 8th, beaten three lengths over a good surface. Did win the Sleepy Hollow in his only prior route attempt and has versatility to take advantage of this rail draw.
#2 Jacks Courage (Mb Stables/M. Murrill): Gelding was a three-time runner-up as a juvenile, but he’s on a two-race winning streak to start his sophomore season. Last two wins at seven-panels, and this will be his first try going a route. Has the speed to put himself into the race from the start and it’s hard to find a knock on his work tab.
#3 Loko Moko (South Shore Stables/M. Franco): Gelding started his career three-for-three; however, the form has been a bit spottier since. He did set the pace in the BC Juvie before finishing 4th, and he ran really well two-back in the Springboard Mile. The talent’s still there, it’s just a matter of unlocking it again.
#4 Centennial Hall (D J C Racing Stables/F. Geroux): Made a quintessential HRP debut at FL where he was last of five and beaten 16-lengths; however, he must have gotten a quality education. Took a GP MSW upon his return before taking the $100.000 Rego Park here last month. Has to go an extra furlong and a half for this, but he hasn’t done much wrong since December.
#5 Carmel Apple (Allinthegate/A. Beschizza): Another that followed HRP’s guide to the art of losing, he debuted at the free track in November where he was beaten nine lengths. Came back at TUP in January before finally breaking his maiden going 1-mile at SA in an MSW. Colt gets a stiff test in his first go at winners, but you have to like the progression he’s made so far.
#6 Revelations (Wood Duck Stables/Mar. Garcia): Gelding debuted in the slop at PID back in September and wouldn’t be seen again until a runner-up effort at LA. Finally broke the maiden down at GP, going a mile in his first spin on this engine. Obviously gets a class test in his first try versus winners, but he has some speed and success on this engine.
#7 Derby Proud (Mb Stables/F. Pennington): Debuted in a LS MSW in July before breaking his maiden at second asking in a $150.000 stake. Ran a good 4th in the BC Juvie Turf Sprint and finished his campaign with a runner-up in a GP allowance. Started ’23 in the same fashion in January….and now he makes his first start on dirt and his first start going a mile. Work tab seems to suggest he belongs here.
#8 Dmitrii (Arindel/S.X. Bridgmohan): Debuted last April with a six-length score here in the mud before taking a CD allowance and the $200.000 Bowman Mill during his juvenile campaign. Last two starts have been non-efforts, so he’ll have to show the work tab is telling the truth here.
#9 Cheyenne Lame Foot (Greyfriars Stable/A. Ayuso): Started his career 0-4 in MSW company before breaking his maiden for $500.000 at KD. Was runner-up in a G2 on the lawn before running 4th in the G1 BC Juvie Turf. Was purchased for $125.000 after back-to-back KYD prep non-efforts and will make the barn debut here.
#10 Peace Pipe (Arindel/E. Maldonado): MGSW has been one of the barn’s fastest for a while. Poor effort was in the BC, but he hasn’t done much wrong before/since. With the chance for rain a 50/50 proposition, it must be noted he took a G1 here in the slop and the last out San Vicente win came on a good SA surface.
#11 Noble Faerie (Riggins Racing/M.E. Smith): Bought for $200.000 a month ago, he was 6th, beaten two lengths in his first try for the new outfit. Trainer had only been in charge for a week prior to that start, so expect a more educated performance this time. He was a three-time stakes winner, including a G3, as a juvenile so it may just be a case of unlocking the potential for this guy.
#12 Ben Nevis (Hippyheart/SCRATCHED)
#13 Times Ticking (Angelos Stable/A. Bocachica): Tagged for $50.000 out of a daylight victory down at GP, trainer throws him in without a lifeboat here. He’s shown speed in both career starts, and the work tab is within range of the best in here. Has to overcome the wide gate, but the barn’s confidence can only be seen as a positive.
Final Analysis: Much like the filly counterpart, the weather looks to be iffy at best. We’ll go 10-2-3 in an excellent renewal of The Gotham-G3 at AQU. Good luck to all in this and all of their races this weekend!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
