Gotham Stakes
Grade III, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 M (Dirt), Post Time: 4:50 PM EST
While El Kabeir has had three massive runs recently, all that’s good must come to an end. I’m not saying that the grey is going to crash-and-burn but I don’t think he’ll run higher than fourth. His last win, the Jerome Stakes, came at a mile and seventy yards. He finished with a one-and-three-fourths length victory over Nasa. The second place finisher was listed as “no match”. The Gotham is a whole 1/16 of a mile longer. His first and only time at this distance was a second place finish. Keep in mind though, he lost to a horse who lost his foot and stumbled at the start. With a good break, El Kabeir will have a run for his money.
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| El Kabeir |
Combat Diver came second in the Miracle Wood Stakes at one mile. After tossing it around a moment, Combat Diver scratched from my list but may be kept as a dark horse. Unless Dontbetwithbruno is a miracle horse, you might as well toss him too. The recent maiden winner, Lieutenant Colonel has great breeding but a not-so-stellar record. Another maiden winner, Tiz Shea D. Toasting Master won’t be a threath. Still a maiden, forget Uninfluenced. Blame Jim is the last I’ll toss.
Tencedur may not have much BUT he did run fourth in the Wither Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. He came behind Classy Class, El Kabeir and Far From Over. His workout on February 21st placed him first out of ninety nine at Aqueduct going four furlongs in :48.05. He may be one to look out for later on the Derby trail.
Classy Class, and I am announcing this for the first time, is one my Derby Dark Horses. Yes, he isn’t a true “dark” horse but I’ve been following him since after his maiden so I believe in him 100%. The Discreetly Mine colt came fourth in the 1 ⅛ mile Remsen Stakes and third in the 1 1/16 mile Withers Stakes. Classy Class is my pick for the Gotham Stakes.
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| Classy Class |
Contenders
El Kabeir
Classy Class
Tencedur
Pretenders
Combat Diver
Dontbetwithbruno
Lieutenant Colonel
Tiz Shea D
Toasting Master
Uninfluenced
Blame Jim
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