Aqueduct: Motion takes a pass on Gotham with two candidates

Trainer Graham Motion had two horses he was considering for Saturday's Gotham at Aqueduct, but ultimately did not enter either one.

Earlier in the week, Motion thought about running Cop a Tude, who is 2 for 2, and Went the Day Well, a New York-bred maiden.

Though Cop a Tude won twice at Laurel, Motion thought running him in a full field in the Gotham would be “throwing him to the wolves.” Instead, Motion plans to run him in the Private Terms on March 17 at Laurel Park.

Motion was also considering Went the Day Well for either the Gotham or a New York-bred maiden race and went so far as to have him van to the airport in Florida on Wednesday.

Motion opted to keep Went the Day Well in south Florida, where he will run in an open company maiden race at Gulfstream on Saturday.

Sweet Seventeen likely for Bourbonette

Motion said Sweet Seventeen came out of her victory in last Saturday’s Busher Stakes in good order and would likely be pointed to the Grade 3, $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park on March 24.

Sweet Seventeen has already won on a synthetic surface, having won an allowance race at Keeneland.

“I have a feeling ultimately being by that stallion [Hard Spun] she might be better on the synthetic,” Motion said.

Motion said that Toby’s Corner, third in the General George at Laurel last out, would likely make his next start in the New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds on April 1.

“It’s logical time-wise, gives him six weeks,” Motion said. “And it gives him time to run back in [the Alysheba] on Oaks Day at Churchill.”