Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin had been hoping the Gotham
would give Godolphin Racing’s Consortium
a chance to rebound from his last-place finish behind Algorithms in the Grade 3
Holy Bull. But the Bernardini colt came back from a Monday workout with a chip
in his right ankle that will require surgery, sidelining him until the summer.
In his stead, McLaughlin will be saddling Darley Stable’s Side Road, a four-length maiden winner
going a mile at the Big A on January 28 in his fourth career start. After
finishing fifth in his debut at Belmont,
the Street Cry colt was third and fourth in two subsequent starts at Aqueduct.
“He’s a big, improving horse and we hope he steps up to the
plate,” said McLaughlin’s assistant, Art Magnuson.
“He’s an improving animal who’s been training well.”