3/5/2022

  5  AQU    The Gotham (GIII)  [KYO]

        $300.000    3yo     1m  Dirt      122lbs

The TC Trail keeps moving and we catch a class field of twelve for The Gotham (GIII), going a flat mile over the main track here in Queens.  Spiced is the top choice from The Green Card and that thought is hard to fault.  He won three stakes in a row before just missing in the Holy Bull (GIII) and knowing the barn has been hot, it’s hard to get past him.  We go to the outside post for the second choice on the sheet… Valvano won The Swale  (GIII) in his first try vs. graded horses so you have to give him a big look today.  Dwindle has two graded wins before that sixth placed effort in The Withers (GIII) and should bounce back today.

It’s a solid field and we don’t have a filly to be seen so there’s no excuses…    it’s time to bring it. 

Here’s The Field –

Has two wins including a stakes score vs NY bred at BEL , but the four races since have been forgettable.  A fifth in the Nashua (GIII), then he only beat one in the LA Futurity (GII), the same when fourth in another NY bred stakes and then eighth in the Davis (GIII) at TAM last out.  He needs to turn it around real quick like. 

Three wins from only six starts including the DeMill at DMR (GIII) to close out his freshman season.  He won an Alw race at SA before running fourth in the Kittens Joy (GIII) at GP.  The thing is, he’s done most of his damage on the grass and hasn’t shown the liking on the main track.  Can he change that today?

Won his first two starts, breaking maiden and taking down NY bred stakes company, both at AQU, then tired after doing all of the heavy lifting in the Southwest (GIII) in his 22 debut.  He was only beaten three lengths that afternoon and could be better than what I’m giving him credit for.  Can he surprise?

Only one win for this gelding but he’s been close in a number of stakes and is only a couple lengths from being a monster.  Broke maiden vs stakes company in the Skidmore at SAR, was second in the Bourbon (GII) at KEE and third in his most recent race, the Kittens Joy (GIII) at GP.  He’s another that has been turf successful and will see if that transfers to the dirt. 

Your probable favorite for today as this one just hasn’t done much wrong.  His three race win streak came to an end last out when he missed by a nose in the Holy Bull (GIII) but won the KY Jockey Club (GII) and a pair of other stakes prior to that.  He looks like the one to beat. 

He’s won two of four starts and shook ’em up a bit when he won the Winkfield last out at 99/1 odds.  I don’t think you will get anything close to that today and he may be the real deal.  Sharp barn, and this one could be any type. 

He’s been running well for the big barn but did have a bit of a hiccup last out when sixth in the Withers (GIII) over this track.  Before that he had back to back wins in the Nashua (GIII) and Remsen (GII) so he’s like this surface.  I’d look for a bounce back and he may be the one to get past. 

He’s been solid as a rock and moved up to stakes company for the first time after the vet paid a visit… nothing to be ashamed of as he was a tough-beat second after leading throughout in the Swale Stakes (GIII).  Another run like that should put him in the picture when they turn for home. 

Lightly raced with only three starts and he’s won two of those.  Obviously, this is a big step up in class but he’s done just about everything right up to this point so you might as well see what is in the tank.  He’s won wire to wire and also closing so he has a dynamic style which could be handy. 

He’s been all or nothing of late, taking the Mucho Macho Man, giving him three lifetime wins from six starts, but came back to be tenth in the Holly Bull (GIII) at GP.  He’s a deep closer, and don’t get me started on that… if he gets a clear path late, he could be trouble. 

He’s won half of his eight starts but hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since taking the Hopeful (GI) at SAR last summer.  He certainly showed some life last out when closing to be third in the Lewis Stakes (GIII) at SAR, and may be coming back into form at just the right time. 

He opened some eyes last out taking the Swale Stakes (GIII) at GP.  With only five starts and two wins, he’s certainly eligible to improve and other than the post position, there’s nothing not to like about this guy.  If he can get a decent break and save some ground through the turn, he could be tough.  

    5 / 12 / 7

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES, THE TRIPLE CROWN