Meet the Contenders: 2024 Gotham S.
Lightline wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis (Photo by Coady Photography)
February 29th, 2024
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.
Here is a 2-year-old to keep an eye on going forward, #9 Khanate for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher and Calumet Farm.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 11, 2023
Khanate was ridden to victory by jockey @iradortiz to take race 2 from Keeneland. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/nD2os1tA7M
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.
2YO DETERMINISTIC, by @LanesEndFarms stallion Liam's Map, makes a push to the finish in the 5th with @JRosarioJockey up for @clementstable! #Saratoga pic.twitter.com/bqPxvW9MOM
— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) August 12, 2023
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.
Jockey Frankie Pennington was waiting for room to kick clear on 2 yr old colt Deposition in Tuesday’s 1st race for $50,000 MSW for trainer Uriah St. Lewis & owner Trin-Brook Stables Inc going 1 mile & 70 yards at Parx Racing @JockeyFrankie pic.twitter.com/uQaIZevyS1
— PTHA (@PTHA17) November 21, 2023
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.
Where's our @jtimberlake fans at!? 🎶
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) July 21, 2023
#7 Timberlake gets blinkers and romps in R6 at Ellis Park for trainer @bradcoxracing under @flothejock. The 2-year-old colt is owned by @WinStarFarm and @SienaFarmKY. 🤩
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/JfsNdiANpY
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.
Lets hear it for DRUM ROLL PLEASE! 🥁 The 3YO son of @DarleyAmerica stallion Hard Spun wins the Jerome & 10 @KentuckyDerby points for @bradcoxracing under @jjcjockey! pic.twitter.com/BzhLHTMM60
— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) January 6, 2024
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.
BERGEN, the 3YO son of @LanesEndFarms stallion Liam's Map, wins the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes with @jockeyfranco aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/6WC0wqiCZv
— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) January 27, 2024
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.
Eliminate broke his maiden on Saturday at Aqueduct for @PletcherRacing.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 12, 2024
The son of Curlin could be a horse to keep an eye on the Road to @KentuckyDerby 150.
Click the link below to add him to your TwinSpires Stable Alerts!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/jdSLWj5FZl pic.twitter.com/kaTeZzfPDk
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.
Just a Touch impressed in his maiden-breaking performance on Saturday @fairgroundsnola for trainer @bradcoxracing.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 30, 2024
Click the link below to add him to your TwinSpires Stable Alerts and get notified next time he runs!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/uWEZhFTu5y pic.twitter.com/biLKLrrNvU
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.
UNCLE HEAVY wins the Grade 3 Withers Stakes and 2️⃣0️⃣ qualifying points toward the @KentuckyDerby with @SanchezMychel up for trainer Butch Reid. pic.twitter.com/Prt6pMtey8
— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) February 3, 2024
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.
Sunday at Aqueduct saw another maiden winner to look out for on the Road to @KentuckyDerby 150 in Capital Idea.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 30, 2024
Click the link below to add him to your TwinSpires Stable Alerts and get notified the next time he runs!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/XwuA6nvfmf pic.twitter.com/O8fegrDB2p
