Aqueduct’s Gotham on Saturday offers big field, Derby points

By NY Hot List Staff | Friday, March 1, 2024

The chase for the Triple Crown resumes Saturday at Aqueduct when a field of 13 3-year-olds will square off in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes. With 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points going to the winner and an evenly matched field on hand, the Gotham promises to be a great wagering race with plenty of value for price conscious handicappers.

The $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct, Saturday, Race 10, 5:36 pm EST. (8) Bergen is one of four 3-year-olds that trainer Brad Cox has entered in the Gotham. He was a debut winner at Keeneland in October against a field of 12 when he raced wide as he rallied to pull clear as the 3-1 favorite. He stretched out to a mile in an allowance at Churchill Downs and finished second after a rough trip. Bergen won the Jimmy Winkfield at Aqueduct in January after a stalking the speed in the six-furlong sprint. (10) Just a Touch is also from the Cox barn. The son of Justify was an impressive winner of his only start which was on a sloppy and sealed track at Fair Grounds. He pressed the pace and drew off to win by more than four lengths as an odds-on favorite earning a speed figure that tops the Gotham field. (7) El Grande O was tenacious in his narrow loss in the Withers (G3) when he pressed the pace and battled gamely down the stretch going nine-furlongs. He should appreciate the cutback to the one-turn mile at which he is already a stakes winner against New York-breds. (11) Lightline was the favorite in the Withers and finished third in his second start of the year.

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