David Grening's top 3-year-olds at Aqueduct on Feb. 23

EL KABEIR continues to toughen out this harsh New York winter, squeezing in a workout Sunday at Belmont Park that keeps him on track for the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct on March 7. His Withers conqueror, FAR FROM OVER, meanwhile, worked at Palm Beach Downs Sunday and still has the Gotham as an option. OCEAN KNIGHT, who also worked over the weekend, remains likely for the Gotham. CONDO COMMANDO kicked off her 3-year-old campaign with a solid effort winning the Busher and is targeting the Gazelle on April 4.

1 - OCEAN KNIGHT
Pedigree: Curlin-Ocean Goddess, Stormy Atlantic
Last race: 1st in Sam F. Davis on Jan. 31 at Tampa Bay Downs
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 93/93
Target race: Gotham, March 7, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Son of Curlin overcame difficult post and wide trip to gut out a neck victory in Sam Davis, first time going around two turns. Owns a win sprinting over inner track, so surface should not be an issue. He is owned by Stonestreet Stables, which also owns the Grade 1 winner Carpe Diem. With Carpe Diem being pointed to the Tampa Bay Derby, Ocean Knight is expected to run in the Gotham.

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2 - EL KABEIR
Pedigree: Scat Daddy-Great Venue, Unbridled’s Song
Last race: 2nd in Withers on Feb. 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 93/95
Target race: Gotham, March 7, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Still the most accomplished 3-year-old on the grounds with victories in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill and Grade 3 Jerome at Aqueduct. Got hooked up in prolonged pace duel with Classy Class in Withers before edging away from that one late, but couldn’t hold off Far From Over. Following a half-mile workout in 49 seconds Sunday at Belmont, trainer John Terranova said El Kabeir is on schedule for the Gotham.

3 - FAR FROM OVER
Pedigree: Blame-Alchemist, A.P. Indy
Last race: 1st in Withers on Feb. 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 96/96
Target race: Gotham, March 7, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Overcame a significant stumble to win the Grade 3 Withers in just his second start. In his debut, he was a hard-fought nose winner over Net Gain, who won a maiden a race at Aqueduct on Sunday. There is plenty of reason to believe Far From Over can improve. He returned to Palm Beach Downs where on Sunday he worked four furlongs in 48.40 seconds, which leaves the Gotham as an option.

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4 - CLASSY CLASS
Pedigree: Discreetly Mine-Collegiate, Saarland
Last race: 3rd in Withers on Feb. 1 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 91/91
Target race: Gotham, March 7, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Made an easy lead in the Withers but then was pounced upon by El Kabeir, making for a prolonged pace battle to which he eventually succumbed while finishing third. It was his first start in 10 weeks and he should benefit from the race. Had finished fourth in Remsen while contesting the pace while racing on the worst part of the track that day.

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5 - COMBAT DIVER
Pedigree: Line of David-Safe Journey, Flatter
Last race: 2nd Miracle Wood at Laurel on Feb. 16
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 82/82
Target race: Gotham on March 7 at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Came off a 79-day layoff and got beat a nose by repeating winner Saavy Street in one-turn mile Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel, where he was forced to rally six wide. From the same connections that campaigned Uncle Sigh last year, this colt could wheel back in Gotham.

FILLIES

1 - CONDO COMMANDO
Pedigree: Tiz Wonderful-Yearly Report, General Meeting
Last race: 1st in Busher on Feb. 21 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 90/96
Target race: Gazelle, April 4, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Did what she was supposed to do dispatching an overmatched field by 4 3/4 lengths in Saturday’s Busher Stakes. Figures to meet stronger competition in the Gazelle.

2 - WONDER GAL
Pedigree: Tiz Wonderful-Passe, Dixie Union
Last race: 3rd in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 81/81
Target race: Gazelle, April 4, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: After destroying New York-breds - mostly maidens - in the Lynbrook Stakes last July, Wonder Gal held her own with some of the best open-company fillies in training, placing in three graded stakes last year. She was beaten just a length by division leader Take Charge Brandi in the Juvenile Fillies. Will most likely train up to the Gazelle.

3 - ALLITERATION
Pedigree: Quality Road-Daily Special, Dayjur
Last race: 1st in maiden race on Feb. 6 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 72/72
Target race: Undecided
COMMENT: After finishing second sprinting in her debut, she successfully stretched out around turns. The final time was slow, perhaps owing more to the nature of the track that day. No options in New York before the Gazelle so she may have to ship out of town.