Gotham Stakes (gr. III) | Retama Ruffian

Gotham Stakes

Aqueduct; $400,000; 8.5 furlongs; 3YO; March 5

Laoban

(Uncle Mo-Chattertown, by Speightstown)

Though he is lightly raced, this isn't a horse I would overlook. In his three race career, Laoban finished seventh in his first start (he failed to rally), second in the next and third in his first stakes. His second race, a maiden special weight, resulted in a narrow loss to Let's Meet in Rio. Laoban's latest start was in the grade three Sham Stakes. He rallied well for third, despite going four wide. 

CONTENDER

Shagaf 

(Bernardini-Muhaawara, by Unbridled's Song)

In some circles this horse has been all the rage as a "Derby Dark Horse". I don't see it. At Gulfstream, he beat a couple of maiden special weight winners. His breezes haven't been spectacular either. However, I do believe this horse wants to win. I can't decide if I like him or not.

POSSIBLE

Adventist

(Any Given Saturday-Sharp Minister, by Deputy Minister)

Another lightly raced horse, Adventist could be quite a threat. In his maiden special weight, he fought his rider throughout the homestretch but still managed to pull away from the field. In the grade three Withers, he had a rough start, fought his jockey around the first turn and dueled in the home stretch. Another bonus: he has already faced Sunny Ridge.

CONTENDER

Vincento

(Include-Seeking the Silver, by Grindstone)

Easily my least favorite horse in the field, Vincento has started four times. However, I don't believe he can compete at this level. 

PRETENDER

Mo Power

(Uncle Mo-Rhiana, by Runaway Groom)

With horses like Nyquist and Mo Tom, Uncle Mo has been well received as a sire and it's no surprise why. Mo Power has yet to start outside of a maiden special weight but should do well moving up into the graded level. He fought with the third place finished before pulling away in his maiden. Mo Power may be a horse that doesn't like to lose. However, his breeze times  are worrying me.

POSSIBLE

Conquest Big E

(Tapit-Seeinisbelievin, by Carson City)

I'm usually a big fan of Conquest Stables' horses and Tapit progeny but I can't seem to like this horse. I don't believe he will excel at the graded level until he has more experience. 

PRETENDER

Sunny Ridge

(Holy Bull-Liqnum Vitae, by Songandaprayer)

Despite his insanely slow workouts, Sunny Ridge boasts a good portfolio. He started his career in a Monmouth Park maiden claiming before finishing seventh in the Sandford Stakes. He won the Sapling Stakes and then finished second in the Champagne Stakes to Greenpointcrusader. Along with a second in the Delta Downs Jackpot to Exaggerator, Sunny Ridge won the grade three Withers Stakes. He is easily the class of the field.

CONTENDER

Rally Cry

(Uncle Mo-Alienated, by Gone West)

In three starts, Rally Cry managed to win a maiden special weight in December. Since then, he finished third in an allowance optional claiming to Shagaf. As much as I like Pletcher trainees, I don't think Rally Cry will do much.

PRETENDER