LARGE FIELD TO VIE IN GOTHAM
A big cast of sophomores will line-up to contest the $400,000 Gotham S. (G3) at Aqueduct on Saturday, led by juvenile champion Hansen. Trained by Michael Maker, the long-striding son of Tapit was second in his seasonal debut but should be much more fit this time around, and looms as the likely one to catch. The Grade 1 winner will have Ramon Dominguez in the irons.
Stakes winner My Adonis was third in the Holy Bull S. (G3) in his three-year-old debut and should provide a late threat in this one for conditioner Kelly Breen. The son of Pleasantly Perfect could be rounding into top form on this day. Recent allowance winner Raconteur, stakes hero Pretension, allowance victor Hardened Wildcat, improving maiden Suns Out Guns Out, Remsen S. (G2) fourth Done Talking, Lecomte S. (G3) fourth Dan and Sheila, the returning Chief Energy and the Consortium, who has flashed big talent but didn’t fire last out at Gulfstream, help comprise this talented bunch.
Also on Saturday, fillies and mares will go 1 1/16 miles on the main oval in the $200,000 Top Flight H. (G2). Multiple Grade 1 heroine It’s Tricky, second in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1) in her latest run, will make her four-year-old debut in this one. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has worked the filly pretty well leading up to this and she looms as the one to beat despite the cut back in trip. Grade 1-placed stakes winner R Gypsy Gold, dual stakes winner Love and Pride and Ladies H. runner-up Bahama Bound are also hoping to score in this affair.
Among the top draws for the $200,000 Tom Fool H. (G3) are Gulfstream allowance hero Travelin Man, the talented Tahitian Warrior, a close second in a recent Gulfstream allowance, local allowance winner Leave of Absence, Grade 2 comebacker Justin Phillip and Toboggan S. (G3) victor Calibrachoa.