Horak: How I'm betting Aqueduct's 2020 Gotham Stakes
The Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes is one of the most wide-open Kentucky Derby 2020 prep races so far. The 11-horse field includes an interesting mix of speed, promising last-out maiden winners and a trio of stakes winners.
Before deciding how to bet Saturday’s 10th race at Aqueduct, let’s meet the entire field.
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Favorites
#6 Mischevious Alex (3-1) romped in his last two extended sprint stakes including Gulfstream Park's Swale Stakes (G3). He should attend the pace under jockey Kendrick Carmouche.
#10 Untitled (4-1) gave a top 3-year-old in Gouverneur Morris a brief scare before settling for a clear place finish in a Tampa Bay allowance route on Feb. 14. He cuts back in distance and should be part of the pace.
Value Win Contenders
#4 Attachment Rate (9-2) earned quality numbers in both starts this year including a romp in the slop at Gulfstream on Feb. 15. He will try to get involved late.
#8 Montauk Traffic (6-1) is on the upswing for trainer Linda Rice. He won his last two local starts at seven furlongs including Aqueduct's Jimmy Winkfield Stakes. He should get pace help and might win this with another forward move.
Live Longshots
#2 Informative (15-1) graduated in his eighth career start at this course and distance on Feb. 8. He needs to run faster to win this but should get pace help and might be able to land a share.
#11 First Deputy (30-1) exits back-to-back local state-bred victories for Rice. He is getting better and should be stalking the pace from the outside post.
Remaining Entrants
#1 Celtic Striker (30-1) won two of his last three starts and should show speed from the rail.
#3 War Stopper (5-1) added blinkers and easily went all the way in a local one-mile maiden affair on Jan. 11. He did not do much running in his other three starts.
#5 Necker Island (12-1) followed up back-to-back wins with an 11-length loss in the Swale.
#7 Sixto (8-1) stalked and beat four rivals in his local sprint bow on Jan. 30. He is bred to route and is a tad interesting for trainer Eric Guillot, but it might be too much too soon.
#9 Flap Jack (30-1) graduated in a $75,000 stakes on synthetic in his final 2019 start. He needs to prove that he can handle dirt.
Wagering Strategies
#8 to win
Exacta 8/4-6-10
Exacta 4-6-10/8
Trifecta 4-8/4-6-8-10/2-4-6-8-10-11