At a time when Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve hopefuls are centered on making ready for Flip 2 and qualifying factors, Saturday’s gotham stakes Suidobashi affords one thing completely different. Gotham is contested over one flip mile, with 50 factors awarded to the winner, incomes them sufficient complete factors to earn a begin to the Rose. However will these milers survive the 1.5-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby? Time will inform.
1. Balboa (Morning line odds are 6-1): He additionally fell behind in second place within the Jerome Stakes, which was additionally held on a flat mile at this observe. Beforehand, he completed third within the 1 1/8-mile Remsen Stakes behind Kentucky Derby favourite Paladin. This needs to be an enormous issue.
Jockey: Sheldon Russell. coach: Brittany Russell
2. hammond (5-1): He completed third within the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park with a quick time over seven furlongs. Miles is in query mark as he has not received over 6 1/2 furlongs.
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez. coach: Saffie Joseph Jr.
3. Crown the buckeye (4-1): He set the tempo within the 1 1/16-mile Lecomte Stakes on the Fairgrounds, dropping to eighth place. Earlier than that, he completed third within the Gun Runner Stakes over the identical distance as Pacemaker, however misplaced by lower than a size. The work was sharp, so I’d be capable to make up for it right here.
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.; coach: microphone maker
4. 4th and 1st place (20-1): He misplaced the final 1 1/8-mile Wizards Stakes by practically 32 lengths. You have to to take an enormous step.
Jockey: Jose Lescano. coach: Jeremiah Inglehart
5. proper to get together (8-1): He received the primary mile race in his second race right here, however his time was gradual. The quick tempo helps.
Jockey: Chris Elliott. coach: Ken McPeek
6. iron honor (6-5): He received his six-furlong debut right here and recorded sensible velocity figures. He actually has the velocity to win and taking a look at his pedigree, one other 400 meters needs to be inside his vary. Deserves nice consideration.
Jockey: Manny Franco. coach: chad brown
7. Exhibition solely (15-1): After ending his 2-year-old season with three losses on turf, he returned to dust for the 2026 season opener, successful by seven and three-quarters of a size within the first race. That is the place you’ll take the category check.
Jockey: Ruben Silvera coach: Rudy Rodriguez
8. creole chrome (with scratches): Scratched to race on the fairgrounds.
Jockey: Jaime Torres coach: Joe Sharp
9. soiled wealthy (10-1): He misplaced within the last furlong to Obliteration within the six-furlong Oaklawn Park Stakes. He has sufficient velocity to hitch the staff early on, however how lengthy can he final?
Jockey: Ramon Vasquez. coach: peter miller
choose: iron honor
Stay lengthy shot: balboa
fantastic: 6-1-3-2
