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Uncle Sigh and Samraat lead a field of eleven three-year-old colts in Saturday's Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct in New York. (Post time: 4:17 pm Eastern; TV: HRTV & TVG) A month ago, Uncle Sigh and Samraat dueled the length of the track before Samraat ultimately prevailed by a length at the wire in the G3-Withers Stakes. Both colts are both back to face nine other rivals in search of significant points on the road to the 2014 Kentucky Derby.
Samraat, undefeated in four lifetime starts, displayed a slight change in running style in his Withers victory when he pressed the early speed of Uncle Sigh before taking control of the race in the stretch drive; this marked the first time in Samraat's career where he didn't lead his rivals from start to finish. However, Samraat is still a colt that seeks to dictate terms from the second the gate opens; we'll see if he continues that style on Saturday.
Uncle Sigh drew inside of Samraat, just as he did in the Withers when he drew the rail and Samraat broke from post 5, and he would again appear to be the most likely early leader into the first turn.
Below are the entries and post positions for the Gotham Stakes. Noble Cornerstone and Samraat are coupled. Horses listed in order of post positions.
# | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML |
2 | In Trouble | J. Rocco, Jr. | A. Dutrow | 5/1 |
3 | Financial Mogul | S. Bridgmohan | R. Violette | 10/1 |
4 | Uncle Sigh | C. Nakatani | G. Contessa | 3/1 |
1 | Noble Cornerstone | K. Desormeaux | W. Ward | 5/2 |
SCR |
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6 | Deceived | R. Maragh | L. Gyarmati | 15/1 |
SCR |
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1a | Samraat | J. Ortiz | R. Violette | 5/2 |
8 | Extrasexyhippzster | J. Pimentel | M. Trombetta | 4/1 |
9 | Master Lightning | C. Velasquez | T. Pletcher | 20/1 |
10 | Harpoon | I. Ortiz | T. Pletcher | 10/1 |