I’ve been banging my head against the wall all week trying to separate the contenders in this Saturday’s running of the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. The Gotham Stakes are a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby going 1 1/16 miles for $250,000 and featuring some of the top 3 year olds in the country.
We had some great discussion with readers throughout the week, and have been considering everything from post positions, to weather (heavy rain is in the forecast), to the difficulty in ascertaining who is ready to go two-turns around the track today and prevail.
Well, after much deliberation I’m ready to take a stand here. I do think that Saturday will be Saratoga Russell’s day to shine. I like that the colt has improved with each race in his career, including back to back wins in his last two efforts by 7 1/2 and 10 3/4 lengths, respectively. Even better is the fact that he’s handled the wet track well, as demonstrated by his last effort.
That’s not to suggest that some of his main competition hasn’t fared well either, as Roman Emperor boasts a 3-1-2-0 record on the wet track and Giant Moon has handled “good” conditions in the past. It just seems like tomorrow will be closer to the “sloppy” track that Saratoga Russell experienced in his last victory at the Optional Claiming level. He really could be on the lead or rating and have a good shot to win.
I’ll use Saratoga Russell for the win, but I’ll play several horses underneath. I think Roman Emperor, Visionaire, and Giant Moon would have to be used in place, with those three along with Ling Ling Qi and Texas Wildcatter for show. The ticket would be $12 and look like this: 4/ 1, 3, 10/ 1, 3, 7, 9, 10.
If you’re playing the multi-race exotics I’d probably cover Visionaire and either Roman Emperor or Giant Moon for the win here as well as Saratoga Russell. Each of those horses has as good a shot a Saratoga Russell to win. I just felt that I had to be bold and boil it down to one horse to take a stand on considering the healthy discussion we’ve had all week. Be honest, you guys wouldn’t be happy if I simply said “cover all of ‘em!” 
I’d like to wish one of our readers, Thomas, well in the race tomorrow and say that I’ll be sipping my Yeungling in salute to your colt if he indeed prevails tomorrow.
the worst part is waiting for the race. I have to watch it online. UGH!!!!!
I’m thinking they’ll be wearing different shoes today; that could make a difference on some. But Russell has done well on these tracks, so they’re doing something right there. He’s confident in his feet on a sloppy, slippery track. Only takes a bad slip for them to loose confidence in a wet track.
Visionaire nailed Texas Wildcatter at the wire. Saratoga Russell was in the lead but faded near the 2nd turn. I’ll have a post about it along with the video as soon as it’s uploaded to youtube.
The video won’t show much though as the field was lost in the fog for most of the race. You literrally couldn’t see them and the cameras and announcers lost them several times.
Wow, so they kept Visionaire in the race! and Russel, he just couldn’t take the two turns. is that what I’m hearing???
Yup, they kept Visionaire in the race and Russell didn’t take to two turns real well. It was nasty out there though and that was his first time stretching out.
Visionaire looked good running late again. When you consider he was just behind Pyro in the Risen Star, he’s clearly a good one.
Video of race is here
http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?id=31282&type=news
Yeah, I’m waiting for the youtube version so I can embed in the post.
Hi everybody…..back from the race at Aqueduct. Just a quick recap on the Gotham.
The feedback from the jockey is that Saratoga Russell stopped breathing at the 5 furlong mark. He displaced his palate during the race, which blocked his air passage. Thankfully, Eibar Coa quickly wrapped up on Russell and took him home safely. I don’t think these jockeys get enough credit when it comes to taking care of horses. I am really glad that Eibar Coa did it.
The procedure to fix this problem is rather straightforward, so Saratoga Russell will be fine.
Although disappointed that we did not have a better showing, I am glad that we will have Russell back for another day. He will likely race in some sprint stakes and we will probably try him 2 turns after that.
Thank you thomas for the update on Russell!! How did he break his palate, does anyone know?
Thanks Thomas. I just found out about the displaced palate and was hoping he’d be alright. Hey, he gave us a thrill for a while being on the lead. Glad to hear you’ll get him back and I like the idea of letting him sprint again.
we’ll get him sprinting again and take a shot with route again after winning another sprinting race. Russell is also bred well for grass, so that’s certainly in the future plans as well. We’ll have some options. One of the races suggested is the Woody Stephens at Belmont going 7 furlongs. We’ll see. Nothing is firm yet.
I tell you….this game has very extreme highs and lows.
Indeed – and I only know them from a fan/bettor’s perspective. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to own one of these guys and be that close to them. On days when Curlin is racing I’m usually too hyped up to even speak.