Meet the Contenders: 2024 Gotham S.
Lightline wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis (Photo by Coady Photography)
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Gotham S. (G3) at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Khanate wis at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Photography)
#1 Khanate *
Pro: Experienced colt has already earned points in a pair of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Aqueduct.
Con: He faded to fifth place after setting the pace in Aqueduct’s Withers (G3) last time out.
Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#2 Maximus Meridius **
Pro: Dominated a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Parx Racing last month with a strong 91 Brisnet Speed rating.
Con: He’s yet to run farther than 6 1/2 furlongs.
Deterministic (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#3 Deterministic ****
Pro: Won his debut at Saratoga last summer with a 90 Brisnet Speed rating.
Con: Hasn’t started since his debut and enters the Gotham off a seven-month layoff.
Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#4 Facenda *
Pro: Won his debut in a $30,000 maiden optional claimer at Turf Paradise.
Con: The 73 Brisnet Speed rating from his debut looks light against the Gotham field.
Deposition (Photo by Equiphoto)
#5 Deposition **
Pro: Closed ground nicely to finish fourth in the Withers last time out.
Con: Needs improvement to turn the tables on fellow Withers alumni El Grande O and Lightline.
Air Cav (Photo by Coady Photography)
#6 Air Cav **
Pro: Finished fifth in a deep renewal of the one-mile Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct last fall, ahead of El Grande O and next-out Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Fierceness.
Con: Exits a distant third-place finish in the six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield S. against easier competition.
El Grande O (Photo by Coglianese Photography/Credited to Chelsea Durand)
#7 El Grande O ****
Pro: Speedy colt was beaten a nose in the 1 1/8-mile Withers and should appreciate cutting back to one mile for the Gotham.
Con: He finished second in Aqueduct’s one-mile Jerome S. two starts back, beaten 2 3/4 lengths even after setting a modest pace.
Bergen (Photo by Coady Photography)
#8 Bergen ****
Pro: Dominated the Jimmy Winkfield last time out, winning by 5 1/4 lengths with a 94 Brisnet Speed rating.
Con: He was beaten to second place in his lone start racing one mile, in a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs.
Eliminate (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#9 Eliminate **
Pro: Closed from last to first to win a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct last time out.
Con: Lost his first three starts (including one against Deterministic) and is 0-for-2 running long.
Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#10 Just a Touch *****
Pro: Trounced his debut in a maiden special weight sprint at Fair Grounds, scoring by 4 1/4 lengths with a 97 Brisnet Speed rating.
Con: He’s yet to run farther than six furlongs.
Lightline wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis (Photo by Coady Photography)
#11 Lightline ***
Pro: Rallied to finish second in the Withers in his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut.
Con: Finished 2 1/2 lengths behind El Grande O in the Withers and needs a step forward to turn the tables.
Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#12 Slider ***
Pro: California raider finished third in a quality renewal of the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita.
Con: He’s bred for speed and has yet to run farther than seven furlongs.
Capital Idea (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#13 Capital Idea ****
Pro: Obliterated a one-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct last time out, winning by 8 1/4 lengths with a 95 Brisnet Speed rating.
Con: He risks a wide trip while breaking from the far outside post position.
