At a Glance: Bergen Looks Best of Cox’s Gotham Quartet

The Gotham Stakes (G3) may not be an ideal Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race. It is, after all, contested at a one-turn mile in early March. Yet it terms of betting value, it’s hard to top the $300,000 Gotham March 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

At a time when field size has been problematic for many stakes, the Gotham attracted 15 entrants last year and drew 13 for Saturday’s renewal. Oh, and there will also be 105 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points on the line, with the winner getting 50 and essentially a guaranteed spot in the May 4 Run for the Roses.

1. Khanate  (30-1 morning-line odds): Will appreciate a cutback to a mile after finishing fifth at 1 1/8 miles in the Withers Stakes (G3). Was third in the Jerome Stakes at a mile, but was 11 1/4 lengths behind that day.

2. Maximus Meridius  (20-1): Ships in from Parx Racing with two wins in three starts and has never raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs. Would seem up against it, but anytime trainer Butch Reid ships a horse to New York for a stakes it deserves a long look.

JOCKEY: Mychel Sanchez; TRAINER: Butch Reid

3. Deterministic  (9-2): Looked good winning his lone start but that was in August at Saratoga Race Course. Might be helped by a hot pace but would think he’ll need this race to set up him up for a productive 3-year-old campaign.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Christophe Clement

4. Facenda  (50-1): He also won his lone start, but that came at Turf Paradise in a 5 1/2-furlong race. Posted a slow speed figure and would need to take a big step forward here.

JOCKEY: Abel Cedillo; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

5. Deposition  (50-1): Was fourth in the Withers and was only a half-length behind third-place finisher Lightline . He was 71-1 that day. Not sure if he can win, but he should get more respect at the betting windows.

6. Air Cav  (30-1): Was a distant third in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at six furlongs and lost by 15 1/4  lengths at a mile in the 2023 Champagne Stakes (G1). Seems the weak link among the four 3-year-olds entered by trainer Brad Cox.

7. El Grande O  (8-1): Looks like a main threat off seconds in the Withers and Jerome Stakes. Should appreciate the shorter, one-mile distance after losing by a nose—to a horse trained by Butch Ried—in the Withers. A must-use in the exotics.

8. Bergen  (9-2): Dominated in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes. Was a troubled second in his lone loss, a one-mile allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs. Certainly stands out as a top contender.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Brad Cox

9. Eliminate  (15-1): Needed four tries to break his maiden and that came at 6 1/2 furlongs after two losses at 1 1/8 miles. A mile could be just right for him.

10. Just a Touch  (5-2): Flashed speed and won easily in his debut. That was six furlongs in the slop but the time was fast enough to project him as a force in this field.

11. Lightline  (8-1): Was third in the Withers as the favorite and probably will appreciate the shorter distance here. Can’t be overlooked but may not be the best of his trainer’s foursome.

12. Slider  (8-1): Ships in from California after a third-place finish in the San Vicente Stakes (G2). The mile should be ideal for him and he figures to be a major player.

13. Capital Idea  (12-1): Popped up with an impressive 8 1/4-length maiden win in his second start. It came in the slop but finished a promising second on a dry track before that. The post is not ideal, but with a long run to the first turn, he has plenty of time to angle in and save ground.