Gotham Stakes Selections: Can Any Horse Challenge Hansen?

Aqueduct

Gotham Stakes (Post Time: 5:02 ET) Surface: Inner track
1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | G3 STAKES | Purse: $400,000
Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Daily Double Wagers

Race #10

Can any horse challenge Hansen in this crowded Derby prep race? Racing Mogul believes it's highly unlikely. The following are our selections for the 59th running of the Gotham Stakes:

Jockey Ramon Domingeuz will look to replicate the masterful trip he piloted aboard morning-line favorite Hansen (6-5) last November in Saturday's Gotham Stakes, a ride that secured victory in the coveted BC Juvenile at Churchill Downs. None of Hansen’s foes from that prestigious race are entered into Aqueduct's feature today, making the majestic grey colt’s road to the Wood Memorial that much easier. Coming off a second-place finish in the G3 Holy Bull, a race run in the slop where the champ flattened in the final furlongs following a nearly three-month lay off, Hansen is tuned up to cement his name atop the Kentucky Derby future pools. Michael Maker takes the blinkers off for Saturday's race, the first for the colt’s career. This equipment change does not really raise any alarms, as it is an angle that has worked very well for the trainer in the past and the horse is plenty experienced. One small area of concern for the favorite, in addition to carrying high weight, is breaking from the twelve hole. He is one of three or four who will look to assume the lead to the first turn, and if the challenge becomes too chaotic he could end up extremely wide through the turn. His class, however, should be enough to overcome a longer trip barring other mishaps in a crowded thirteen-horse field. With a win, Dominguez will claim his second Gotham in a row (Stay Thirsty, 2011) and his third overall (Cowtown Cat, 2007), tying the mark for most all time in the event.

Stealcase (12-1) hopes to settle in a nice closing position from the rear of the field and pass a host of tiring rivals down the stretch. Shipping in form Florida, the son of Lawyer Ron, who broke his maiden last time out at Gulfstream Park, attempts to honor to his $320,000 price tag against much stiffer competition today. He beat an impressive Pletcher-trained colt who won his next start with style, and appears to be a live one entering the mix. Against this field, the class jump appears more like a baby step.

Rajiv Maragh gets a nice draw breaking from the five post on Maan (15-1). Anticipate the seasoned jockey to rate just off the pace and dig in gamely down the stretch in what is the colt's first route effort. The son of Malibu Moon is coming off an impressive optional claiming win at 6.5 furlongs at Gulfstream Park, in which he swam the rail slop throughout before showing good spark under command to pull away at the end. A little concerned if he can cover the distance, but his pressing running style is the type that covers a little extra distance than what the pedigree suggests.

Selections:

1. Hansen (6-5)
2. Stealcase (12-1)
3. Maan (15-1)

Exotic Spoiler: Done Talking (20-1)

Good luck!