El Grande O shortens up to a mile for Gotham

Feb 28, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

El Grande O was caught at the wire in the Feb 3. Withers (G3) attempting to stretch his speed 1 1/8 miles. On Saturday at Aqueduct, El Grande O will cut back to the more favorable distance of one mile in the $300,000 Gotham (G3). The Gotham, a Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep, will award Derby qualifying points of 50-25-15-10-5 to the respective top five finishers.

A multiple stakes winner versus New York-breds at two, El Grande O has already earned 15 Kentucky Derby qualifying points via second-place finishes in the one-mile Jerome S. and the Withers, which he lost by a nose to Uncle Heavy. El Grande O is well experienced compared to most three-year-olds, having won or placed in nine of 10 starts.

'We were uncertain of the mile and an eighth, but we thought it was worth a try and I think he ran great,' trainer Linda Rice said. 'We're hoping his experience and ability will stand up in a crowd in the Gotham.'

Just a Touch impressed in his maiden-breaking performance on Saturday @fairgroundsnola for trainer @bradcoxracing.

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— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 30, 2024

Trainer Brad Cox is well stocked for the Gotham with four runners. Bergen has won two of three starts, including the six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield S. by more than five lengths in late January. Just a Touch steps up from a 4 1/4-length debut win at Fair Grounds, while Withers (G3) third Lightline and Jimmy Winkfield third Air Cav will be longer prices.

'We ended up running three-quarters and it worked out, but I do think this is a horse that will be better going a one-turn mile,' said Cox of Bergen.

Trainer Christophe Clement has a pair of solid maiden-winning contenders in Deterministic and Capital Idea, while Maximus Meridius invades from Parx where he's won comfortably in two of three starts. Another notable shipper is the stakes-winning Slider, who invades from Santa Anita following a third-place effort in the San Vicente (G2).

'He got away a little slow and had to work a little hard,' trainer John Sadler said. 'Hopefully, we get a good break in New York.'

The Gotham is the finale on a 10-race card with a scheduled post time of 5:36 p.m. ET. The race can be watched at wagered on at TwinSpires.com.