2019 Gotham Stakes Study Guide

Mar 07, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Unbeaten Grade 2 winner Instagrand will make his sophomore debut in the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct on Saturday. The California invader leads an accomplished field postward in the Road to the Kentucky Derby event, with 50 points going to the winner.

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Here is the cast:

Family Biz Career Racing Stats

7 Starts
1 Wins
2 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $104,855

Top BRIS Speed rating (93) for fourth-place finish in Jimmy Winkfield Stakes

Owner: Danny J. Chen, James Cestaro and Campbell Road Stables
Breeder: Alex and JoAnn Lieblong (KY)
Trainer: Edward Barker
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche

Sire: Fed Biz
Dam: I’mclassyandsassy
Color: Dark Bay

This Kentucky-bred has been a consistent performer to date and broke his maiden on this surface. The longshot wasn’t much of a factor in either the Jerome Stakes or Jimmy Winfield Stakes, and he needs a big step forward in this spot.

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Knicks Go Career Racing Stats

7 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $678,515

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) for Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) second

Owner: KRA Stud Farm
Breeder: Angie Moore (MD)
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Sire: Paynter
Dam: Kosmo’s Buddy
Color: Gray/Roan

The Grade 1 star is plenty talented but lacks consistency overall. The colt has been unplaced in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) and Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) most recently, though he could clearly challenge in this spot with his best. Jose Lezcano will guide the Maryland-bred for the initial time.

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Mind Control Career Racing Stats

5 Starts
3 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $323,400

Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Jerome Stakes win

Owner: Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stable LLC
Breeder: Red Oak Stable (KY)
Trainer: Gregory Sacco
Jockey: John Velazquez

Sire: Stay Thirsty
Dam: Feel That Fire
Color: Bay

The 2018 Hopeful Stakes (G1) star kicked off his sophomore season in winning fashion with a gate-to-wire tally in the Jerome Stakes. The Kentucky-bred comes in with solid morning drills and brings a lot of early pace to the field in a race full of it. John Velazquez opting to ride the colt in lieu of other live mounts is a huge positive for the win contender.

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Much Better Career Racing Stats

5 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $102,200

Top BRIS Speed rating (88) in Zuma Beach Stakes second and allowance race win

Owner: Three Chimneys Farm
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith

Sire: Pioneerof the Nile
Dam: Dust and Diamonds
Color: Dark Bay

The Sham Stakes (G3) third rolled home to an allowance victory in his first with blinkers on in advance of this one. The Bob Baffert pupil has to get faster to make an impact in this spot, though his recent bullet six-furlong workout is very encouraging. Mike Smith comes along from the Golden State to ride.

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Haikal Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $133,900

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) for win in Jimmy Winfield Stakes

Owner: Shadwell Stable
Breeder: Shadwell Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh

Sire: Daaher
Dam: Sablah
Color: Bay

This one-run closer got up late in the Jimmy Winfield Stakes in preparation for his graded debut in this spot. A half-brother to Grade 1 winner Takaful, he lands in a field full of pace and he could be moving best late at a price in this assignment.

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Instagrand Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $144,000

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) in Best Pal Stakes (G2) win

Owner: OXO Equine LLC
Breeder: Stoneway Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Assets of War
Color: Bay

This sensational colt dominated a pair of fields as a juvenile and seems poised for a big run in his sophomore debut. The $1.2 million purchase gets a new pilot in Javier Castellano and faces his toughest assignment to date. This Kentucky-bred has been training like a fit and ready contender.

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Not That Brady Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $155,900

Top BRIS Speed rating (101) in close Withers Stakes (G3) second

Owner: Michael Imperio, Lianna Stables Inc. and Rudy R. Rodriguez
Breeder: KatieRich Farms (NY)
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez

Sire: Big Brown
Dam: Lisa’s Booby Trap
Color: Chestnut

This speedy New York-bred battled back after being passed in the stretch in a runner-up finish in the Withers Stakes (G3). The gelding has shown marked improvement since stretching out and he boasts a fine 4-2-2-0 mark at Aqueduct.

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Tikhvin Flew Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $55,400

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) in maiden victory

Owner: Bloom Racing Stable LLC and Madaket Stable
Breeder: Mineola Farm II LLC and Silent Grove Farms LLC (KY)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Dylan Davis

Sire: Street Sense
Dam: Chatique
Color: Bay

This interesting prospect was a sharp winner on debut prior to a solid third-place result in the Jimmy Winfield Stakes. The lightly raced colt draws well outside and he might appreciate the added distance in the Gotham. Dylan Davis picks up the riding duties.