Meet the Contenders: 2025 Gotham Stakes
Sand Devil wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durrand)
February 26th, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 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.
Click on each horse name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!
Scorching wins the Cup and Saucer at Woodbine. (Photo by Michael Burns Photo)
#1 Scorching ***
Pro: Form in Canada last year was solid over multiple surfaces.
Con: Whether he can replicate his form over dirt is the primary question.
Normandy Coast wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Normandy Coast ***
Pro: Enters off open company wins at Ellis and Fair Grounds, so appears to fit.
Con: Held on to win only narrowly last time and hasn’t yet raced beyond 7f.
Normandy Coast kicked off their 3yo campaign holding off late contenders @fairgroundsnola on Friday.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 14, 2025
That performance earned him TS Stable Alerts Horse of the Week and you can add him to your stable with the link below!
Never Miss A Winner ⤵️ https://t.co/Ljkm4uPwmG pic.twitter.com/TOHA4XpS0N
Calling Card wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#3 Calling Card ****
Pro: Lone previous try over this track and distance resulted in a 17-length maiden win.
Con: Dull try last time in a slow renewal of Lecomte (G3).
Sacrosanct wins the New York Stallion Series Stakes at Aquedcut. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Joe Labozzetta)
#4 Sacrosanct ****
Pro: Enjoyed flawless juvenile campaign, which included three stakes wins.
Con: Untried in open company and figures to see plenty of other speed here.
Sand Devil wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durrand)
#5 Sand Devil *****
Pro: Undefeated from three starts and Brisnet Speed ratings consistently in the mid-90s.
Con: Has beaten only NY-breds and had to work much harder than expected last time.
Pagode wins at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#6 Pagode **
Pro: Just got up to win debut going 6.5f so sure to appreciate added ground.
Con: Relatively inexperienced and this marks his first attempt over dirt.
TwinSpires
#7 Flood Zone ***
Pro: Crushed maiden rivals at a big price, earning a 94 Brisnet Speed rating.
Con: Was only beating Florida-breds last time and one of several potential underlays.
McAfee wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 McAfee ***
Pro: Rick Dutrow trainee ran well at Churchill last fall, albeit against softer.
Con: Relative class is a concern, as is the length of his layoff.
TwinSpires
#9 Garamond ***
Pro: Juddmonte homebred by Uncle Mo won at first asking down at Tampa.
Con: Has plenty of upside but is sure to be overbet, given his connections.
My Mitole wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#10 My Mitole **
Pro: Two-time track-and-distance winner hails from a barn having a strong meet.
Con: Coming back rather quickly off two weeks’ rest.
