Derby Trail: Gotham Stakes Odds, Analysis, Free PPs

The field for the 2018 G3 Gotham Stakes at 1 mile for a purse of $300,000 is the feature race of the day on the Road to the Derby at Aqueduct where Free Drop Billy and Enticed will meet up again after running second and fourth respectively in the Holy Bull in their previous starts.

Both were cross-entered in today’s Tampa Bay Derby but will go here in what may prove to be the better choice.

2018 (G3) Gotham Stakes Odds, Analysis, Free PPs

PP	Horse	Trainer	Odds	Wiz Capper Comments
1	Dial Operator	J. Servis	10-1	Broke maiden in state bred SW at Monmouth sprinting from off the pace. Took $50K OC next out off 7 month layoff. Son of 2011 Florida Derby winner and Dialed In who finished 8th behind Animal Kingdom in the Derby that year. Steps way up here for Servis who also has Firenze Fire. Taken along slowly for sure but if he manages to take this one he’s on his way to Louisville.
2	Cove Blue	D. Romans	30 – 1	Set modest fractions LTO in $75KOC at Gulfstream before tiring to finish 9 lengths back of Casse runner Mississippi who scratched out of the Holy Bull. This is Romans’ rabbit for Billy.
3	Beautiful Shot	K. Desormeaux	8 – 1	Exits G3 Bob Hope from which the winner and runner up both returned in victory in their next starts. But this must be one of the ‘others’ in the Desormeaux brothers arcenal of contenders as regular rider Kent aboard stablemate and Lewis runner up, Ayacara in today’s San Felipe where Bolt d’Oro makes his 1st 2018 appearance.
4	Whereshetoldmetogo	A. Pecoraro	15 – 1	Added blinkers LTO to win a 7f overnight by 6 at GP as the favorite. Beaten by Bal Harbour and Mask, two of the lesser talented horses on the 2018 Derby trail.
5	Firenze Fire	J. Servis	5 – 2	Won the G1 Champagne at this distance last October and the Jerome here two back in the mud. Cuts back from the 1 1/8 Withers to more favorable distance of 1 mile. Obviously one of the top 3 in here but not convinced he’s the one in here.
6	Free Drop Billy	D. Romans	9-5	Will likely scratch in favor of the Gotham at Aqueduct. That race is at 1 mile where he’ll look to improve off a second place finish last time out in the Holy Bull when 9 clear of Enticed. Expect him to take back in the Gotham and make one run at the leaders with Big A’s leading rider Dylan Davis.
7	Old Time Revival	K. Decker	15 – 1	Stretched out to this distance in last and tired late to get nabbed by a neck at the wire. Laurel horses run good here and expect him to set the early fractions with pressure. Can’t see how he belongs.
8	Nine Route	J. Englehart	30 – 1	NY bred won three straight state bred races since switching to dirt for top trainer. Expect him to contend for the lead in first race vs. open company while stepping up to another level. Note: Beat just three others LTO and should be back down to earth after today.
9	Enticed	K. McLauglin	7 – 2	Disappointed LTO in the Holy Bull as favorite in first start of the year after winning the KYJC over Tiz Mischief and FOY winner Promises Fulfilled. Could have simply needed his last one for trainer who is 18% winners at the Big A where he’ll have Alvarado back aboard. Cuts back in distance and should be right there in the end.