Chasing The Derby: Gotham draws 13, Hansen gets bad post// Consortium, Junebugred latest off Trail// Future Wager Pool #2 odds released

The Gotham Stakes (G3) drew a big field of 13, highlighted by the entry of 2-year-old Champion Hansen. He was assignd the unfortunate post #12, which is not optimal on the Aqueduct inner track. Nonetheless, Hansen is the overwhelming favorite at 6-5. Second choice is My Adonis at 5-1, who trailed Hansen by just a half-length at the wire in the Holy Bull (G3). There are several other contenders who could be maturing at the right time and on the verge of a breakout performance. Raconteur, Side Road, and Stealcase are ones we’ll keep an eye on. Entries and preview articles for the Gotham below// More defections from the Trail Wednesday. Consortium was withheld from the Gotham due to an ankle chip and will not point for the Derby. That same injury was attributed to Junebugred, winner of the Smarty Jones Stakes and a disappointing 6^th in the Southwest (G3). Also, catching up to a bit of old news, Bob Baffert’s Sky Kingdom will be out 60 days which knocks him off the Trail as well// The morning line odds for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #2 were released. Once again ‘All Others’ are favored at 3-1, however Union Rags is close behind at 4-1. A little surprised to see allowance winner Fed Biz is the third choice at 12-1. It will be interesting to see if the public keeps him that low. Six new individual horses were added: Bodemeister, Castaway, Mark Valeski, News Pending, Scatman, and Secret Circle// Speaking of Scatman, trainer Michael Lauer says his phone has been ringing steadily with calls from reporters ever since Scatman challenged Secret Circle all the way to the wire in the Southwest. The colt will try the Rebel (G2) next, which could setup a rematch if Secret Circle ships back// Bob Baffert’s Fed Biz and Liaison had extended 6-furlongs works and are still on track for the San Felipe// Currency Swap, winner of the Hopeful (G1) last year, is training slowly for a return to racing. Trainer Teresa Pompay says the colt will ideally race in an allowance at Gulfstream followed by a Derby prep// more…

Gotham Stakes (G3)

Entries here

Preview articles: NYRA / Bloodhorse / Brisnet / DRF

Articles

Consortium on shelf with ankle chip (Bloodhorse)

Bone chip takes Junebugred off TC Trail (Bloodhorse)

Champion Hansen in New York state of mind (TTimes)

On the farm: the weaning of Hansen (Hansen Blog via Courier Journal)

Motion takes a pass on Gotham with two candidates (DRF)

Triple Crown victory one of few eluding Dominguez (DRF)

Baffert pair work for San Felipe (Bloodhorse)

Scatman targets Rebel, Junebugred off trail (Oaklawn Barn Notes)