Takeaways from 2023 Gotham Stakes

Mar 08, 2023 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Kentucky Derby contenders cut back to a one-turn mile for
the $300,000
Gotham (G3) on March 4, the third of four Road to
the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers at Aqueduct in 2023, and the top five finishers
received points on a 50-20-15-10-5 scale.

1. Raise Cain
overcomes adversity in convincing win

After rating in 11th during the early stages, Raise Cain rallied
boldly on the far turn but had to check along the inside approaching the top of
the stretch, forcing Jose Lezcano to alter paths dramatically toward the
outside. The bay colt nimbly kept his momentum, offering a visually impressive
closing kick to win the Gotham by 7 1/2 lengths.

Trained by Ben Colebrook, Raise Cain was overlooked at
23.50-1 in the 14-horse field following a fifth in the Jan. 21 Leonatus S. on
Turfway Park’s Tapeta. His first two stakes attempts yielded better results,
a third in the six-furlong Bowman Mill at Keeneland in late October and a
non-threatening second in the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds in late
December, and the son of Violence thrived over Aqueduct’s muddy track.

Howgreatisnate threw his rider when stumbling at the start,
and rushed forward afterward to be part of the equation throughout, but the
loose horse didn’t affect the top two finishers.

2. Top two
bred for longer distances

He earned his first stakes triumph at a one-turn trip, but
Raise Cain is bred to appreciate more ground. Violence is the sire of early Kentucky Derby favorite Forte, and Raise Cain is out
of a mare, Lemon Belle, by stamina-influence Lemon Drop Kid. Lemon Belle counts
2010 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Unrivaled Belle as a half-sister.

Slip Mahoney was
exiting a wire-to-wire maiden win at Aqueduct in late January, but he broke
slowly and raced far back before getting uncorked in the stretch, coming with a
belated rally to be a clear second. Brad Cox trains the son of 2016 Breeders’
Cup Classic (G1) winner Arrogate, and Slip Mahoney hails from the Grade
1-winning A.P. Indy mare Got Lucky. This is the immediate female family of 2011
Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, and Slip Mahoney remains a promising
prospect at longer distances following a rallying second in his stakes debut.

3. Derby
relevance to be determined

The 50 point prize will guarantee Raise Cain a spot in the Kentucky Derby
starting gate, and the improving colt may have more to offer following
a confidence-building win, but Gotham has had little impact upon the first leg
of the Triple Crown this century and this year’s edition appeared to lack
quality.

Raise Cain netted only a 90 Brisnet Speed rating, which ranks as one of the slowest
qualifiers this year. Slip Mahoney received an 81 figure. Both colts will
receive a class check in the next start.