Uncle Mo’s
stablemate Stay Thirsty, runner-up in Saratoga’s
Hopeful (G1) last year, and recent Whirlaway hero Toby’s Corner, headline a
field of nine in Saturday’s Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Race Course.
Stay Thirsty makes his first start of the season on Saturday
and he has been working in company with Uncle Mo at Palm Meadows Training
Center in Florida. He raced four times last year.
After kicking off his career with a clear place finish at Belmont,
he graduated in fine fashion at Saratoga.
The aforementioned Hopeful followed and he was last seen finishing 5th
in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Ramon Dominguez hops aboard for trainer Todd
Pletcher and owner Mike Repole.
Toby’s Corner is improving rapidly for Graham Motion. He
earned his diploma in romping fashion in his second career start at Laurel last November and
followed that up with an Optional Claiming tally at a flat mile. He smartly
went last-to-first in the compact Whirlaway and should be finishing fast under
Eddie Castro.
Whirlaway show finisher Preachintothedevil is getting
better with each start and the place finisher from his last (J J’s Lucky Train)
returned to capture the Miracle Wood at Laurel Park last weekend. He might have
a hard time turning the tables on Toby’s Corner but the NY-bred should offer
value.
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your 2011 Kentucky Derby contenders!]
Dawly is an interesting longhsot for Steve Asmussen. He has
won two straight and Asmussen claimed him from Kiaran McLaughlin for $50,000 in
December. He owns a promising route pedigree (Awesome Again-Tiznow) and rates a
look underneath.
Nacho Saint placed in the Sanford (G2) while still a maiden
last year and he graduated at a flat mile here Jan 28. Kelly Breen gives Joe
Bravo a leg up on Saturday.
Norman Asbjornson exits back-to-back wins in Pennsylvania and gets
tested for class in his first start since Jan 15.
Starship Caesar is ambitiously placed after winning a
starter allowance at Gulfstream Feb 4. He was nabbed out of a maiden claiming affair
for $25,000 earlier this year.
The Fed Eased will probably show speed from the rail. He
easily broke his maiden in a local dirt sprint Jan 29.
Isn’t He Perfect has struggled in three starts since
exiting the maiden claiming ranks last November.
The Gotham Stakes carries a purse of $250,000 and goes as
the 10th race on Saturday.