A field of nine three-year-olds will compete in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday, February 28, a key prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The race offers 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Among the contenders is Balboa, a six-to-one morning line favorite, who has shown promise in stakes races, finishing third in the Remsen (G2) and second in the Jerome S. His performances in those races came against horses who have since won higher-profile events, including Paladin in the Risen Star (G2) and Renegade in the Sam F. Davis S.
However, many handicappers are focusing on Iron Honor (6-5), trained by Chad Brown, as the horse to beat. Making his sophomore debut, Iron Honor impressed in his first and only start, a six-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct on December 13, winning by 1 1/2 lengths with a Brisnet Speed rating of 99 and a Beyer speed figure of 95. The horses who finished second and third in that race have both subsequently won their next starts, bolstering the strength of the form.
Iron Honor’s pedigree as well supports his potential for success at longer distances. He is a son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and out of a mare by 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame.
The Gotham Stakes is the fifth of six stops on the New York road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Historically, the race has been a stepping stone for horses progressing towards longer Derby preps, with the distance occasionally adjusted between one mile and 1 1/16 miles to aid in that progression. Tactical speed has often been a factor for success, but the inner track configuration at Aqueduct during the winter months is generally considered fair to all running styles.
Other notable entrants include Hammond (8-1), making his first start on the Derby trail after winning the Juvenile Sprint at Gulfstream Park, and Crown the Buckeye (6-1). The race is scheduled as the tenth and final event of the day, with a post time of 5:18 p.m. EST.