Tipsheet: 2024 Gotham Stakes

A sizable cast of 13 sophomores will travel one mile on the dirt at Aqueduct in Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham S. (G3). The top five finishers will earn qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis in the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event. 

Gotham Stakes Picks

• #2 Maximus Meridius
• #13 Capital Idea
• #10 Just A Touch
• #3 Deterministic

Gotham Stakes Wagers

• $15 win and place #2 Maximus Meridius 
• $5 exacta key box 2 with 3,10,13
• 20-cent superfecta 2,13 with 2,3,10,13 with 2,3,10,13 with all

Gotham Stakes Contenders

#1 KHANATE: Todd Pletcher pupil will run with blinkers off for the first time and gets a good draw on the rail for this endeavor. The speedy son of Hightail has been outrun in two successive stakes runs, and he will need big improvement to upset the cast. Jose Gomez has the call. 

#2 MAXIMUS MERIDIUS: Top pick comes off of a fine allowance sprint win at Parx most recently and seems well suited to the one-turn mile. Trained by Butch Reid, the Keystone State-bred has posted two swift morning moves in preparation for Saturday, and I expect him to be put into the race early on with regular pilot Mychal Sanchez coming in to ride. 

#3 DETERMINISTIC: First of the two major contenders from the Christophe Clement barn makes his initial appearance following a fine debut score at Saratoga in the summer. The $625,000 son of Liam’s Map has posted bullet drills in three of his last four morning moves, and the top prospect will be a big threat late if he improves upon his only lifetime run to date. Joel Rosario riding adds to his appeal, too. 

#4 FACENDA: Violence colt will make his first run since joining the Doug O’Neill barn and takes a major class hike. The sophomore defeated foes at Turf Paradise in his debut offering, but the Kentucky-bred will need major improvement to be in the mix late against this cast. Abel Cedillo will be in the irons. 

#5 DEPOSITION: Withers S. (G3) fourth ran his best race to date with blinkers on most recently and could rally in the lane for a piece at a big number with another step forward. The Constitution colt will have Dexter Haddock in the silks. 

#6 AIR CAV: The first of four from the shedrow of Brad Cox was last seen finishing a distant third in the Jimmy Winkfield S. on the oval. The Mitole colt has not factored in either of his stakes tries to date, but he will improve second time off the layoff following two strong half-mile morning moves as of late. Eric Cancel will guide the late runner. 

#7 EL GRANDE O: Hard-knocking New York-bred is a dual stakes victor coming off of runner-up showings in both the Jerome S. and Withers S. (G3) for Linda Rice. The son of Take Charge Indy is as fit as any runner in the field and will be forcing the tempo once again beneath Kendrick Carmouche. 

#8 BERGEN: Jimmy Winkfield S. romper has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in each lifetime try to date and has to be considered a major threat in the heat. The gray son of Liam’s Map has been first or second in each of his trio of outings to date and continues to train forwardly this season. Manny Franco will be in the stirrups. 

#9 ELIMINATE: The second from the Pletcher barn graduated in his 2024 bow last time out, but the $525,000 yearling purchase still appears to be a cut below the best in the field at this stage of his development, however. Dylan Davis retains the mount. 

#10 JUST A TOUCH: Justify colt was a powerful debut winner over the sloppy, sealed strip at Fair Grounds first time out and rates as a logical contender in this spot. This Brad Cox charge is bred for the trip and also has the early foot to secure a good spot from the break. Florent Geroux coming in to guide the prospect is a major bonus.

#11 LIGHTLINE: Cox trainee has been consistent from four races to date and exits a third-place run in the Withers S. (G3) in his latest endeavor. This bay son of City of Light has never finished off the board, and he has displayed a fairly steady closing kick, as well. The $600,000 yearling buy has intrigue with Ramon Vazquez riding. 

#12 SLIDER: Jimmy Creed colt ships from the Golden State and was last seen staying on for third behind the talented Muth in the San Vicente S. (G2). The John Sadler trainee is talented and possesses fine gate presence, and he figures to fire on Saturday following a bullet five-eighths in his latest morning workout, too. The Kentucky bred will be sent from the break under Jose Lezcano. 

#13 CAPITAL IDEA: Clement charge was a strong maiden victor on the course and at the distance in his second career performance, and I feel that he will be a formidable foe in this one despite drawing widest in the cast. The Kentucky-bred bay has the positional speed to avoid a horrific trip in the heat, and his recent bullet move hints that he is set for his stakes bow, as well. Regular rider Trevor McCarthy will take the reins once again.