A small field of potential starters is forming for the March 6 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack, the third of four monthly preps in New York for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
As of Feb. 28, there were only four likely starters and five possible entrants eyeing the $300,000 one-turn mile for 3-year-olds that will award 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers.
Those expected to run include San Vicente Stakes (G2) runner-up Freedom Fighter from the California barn of Bob Baffert; Nyquist Stakes winner Highly Motivated , who will be making his 2021 debut for trainer Chad Brown; Jerome Stakes victor Capo Kane, who was third in the Withers Stakes (G3) at 1 1/8 miles; and Wipe the Slate, who was sixth for trainer Doug O'Neill while making his stakes-debut in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.
Javier Castellano will come to Aqueduct for the mount on Highly Motivated, according to agent John Panagot.
Others considering the Gotham are Awesome Gerry, Smiley Sobotka, Irish Honor, The Reds,and Weyburn.
Saturday's card at the Big A will also feature three other stakes: the $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap (G3) for sprinters, the $250,000 Busher Invitational Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, a 50-20-10-5 points race for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), and the $125,000 Heavenly Prize Invitational Stakes for older fillies and mares.
