Synopsis: In Gotham, cut across images to like dirt

School size has been a thorny issue for the past few years. Shrinking fields mean fewer betting options and smaller payouts, however field size takes on a whole new meaning for Gotham Stakes (G3), where too many horses are entered. .

A total of 15 3-year-olds took part in a one-time bet on March 4 at aqueduct, leaving one of them on the list also eligible. Therefore, Gotham promises to be a great betting race when providing scores of 50-20-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby (G1) to the top five finishers.

first. clean the air (Morning Odds 30-1): He only raced once on dirt track and that was fifth place on his debut at Ellis . Park. The placement may seem too ambitious for a 3-year-old who also gets to join the John Battaglia Memorial Stake on Saturday on a synthetic surface at Race Park. He would be a better fit there if he could pull off the roster that also qualifies at Turfway.

RACE: Jack Gilligan; TEACHER: William Walden

2. How wonderful (10-1): How great is that? We’ll find out here as he takes a big step forward in the class after kicking off his career with four straight wins. He has never run more than six stretches or faced a classified holding company, so it will be a formidable test for the mid-Atlantic delivery man.

RACE: JD Acosta; TEACHER: Andrew Simoff

3. Mr. Venh (10-1): First win at the Aqueduct in late January. The timing was fine and added the flash, but the distance might not be right for him.

4. uncorrelated (10-1): His timing to first win was mediocre, but it was a sloppy track. There’s not much to like, except that he’s from the Chad Brown warehouse, which makes up for the multitude of concerns. Worth a long look at the right price.

5. Carmel Street (6-1): One of two horses ever trained by Bob Baffert in the field. He finished second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at 1 1/16 mile and started his impressive run at Santa Anita . Park. Seems to be one of the major players in this super-sized field.

JOCKEY: Eric Cancel; TEACHER: Tim Yakteen

6. total bank (30-1): He’s been busy and successful these days. This will be his fourth start in the Aqueduct stake since December 17, and he has been no less than third in the first three. The New York hybrid may not have enough speed to win, but he is a clear threat to break the oddities.

7. interrupt (15-1): He never ran on the ground, but he was around gunman out of a mare AP Indy screams dirty pedigree. Trying to guess what he will do here is a guessing game, but won’t throw him if you’re playing the weird game and can use him as a save game with the right odds .

8. Fort Warren (12-1): Another former Baffert athlete. His credentials are not as strong as Carmel Road. He finished third in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) with seven stretches in just the second start and could feel his presence if he ran. He also participated in a second stake in The Parx . Race.

RACE: Jevian Toledo; TEACHER: Brittany Russell

9. clubs (20-1): Like Uncorrelated, his relationships make him attractive. Coached by Todd Pletcher, he finished second in the six-term Jimmy Winkfield Stakes last time out. He seems to be getting better and could be a contender here for the mile.

ten. Knights of Lugan (6-1): He’s definitely going to enjoy the distance as he won the Jerome Stock here earlier this year, the tournament is also contested at the one mile. This is supposed to be a much tougher test with so many companies for him ahead, but his training shows he has maintained his form since January 7 Jerome and he shouldn’t be ignored.

11. slide Mahoney (5-1): Coach Brad Cox has been a force on the Triple Crown trail, and this is one of two Cox starters in the field. Slip Mahoney is having a determined first win but could have been even more impressive earlier when he lost head to Pletcher’s Tapit Trice , who won the next start by eight lengths. Should be a big force here.

twelfth. raise Cain (30-1): If last time you threw him on the synthetic track, it was interesting. He finished second in 1 1/16 mile Gun Runner Stakes and third in a six furlong race at Keeneland before. Others are more attractive, but in a large area of ​​great risk, he deserves attention.

RACER: Jose Lezcano; TEACHER: Ben Colebrook

13. eye-catching clover (4-1): He’s undefeated after two starts for Cox and won one Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots subsidy race nearly 10 length. He has a high flight speed and will be tested in the early part, but there is a lot of potential here and he should fight to the end. Could very easily give Cox a prep winner for the Kentucky Derby

RACE: Florent Geroux; TEACHER: Brad Cox

14. employer (12-1): Like Howgreatisnate, he plays 4 to 4 and faces a classified holding company for the first time. His speed numbers paint him as a contender but the draw, which puts him out and just outside the Eyeing Clover, puts him in a tough position where he will have to take the edge. used early and it might haunt him late.

15. red radio (AE: 50-1): He’ll need a scratch to run, which he can get, but here he looks outmatched for a state-bred maiden to win at six distances in mediocre time.