David Grening's top 3-year-olds in New York on March 9

EL KABEIR showed a new dimension, rallying from 12 lengths back to win Saturday’s Grade 3 Gotham, his third graded stakes victory from his last four starts. Though his final time wasn’t fast and he defeated a modest group, the horse should be given credit for his consistency and versatility.

TIZ SHEA D also should be credited for going from a 5 1/2-furlong maiden win at Parx to a runner-up finish in the Gotham. The horse will be a late Triple Crown nominee ($6,000 fee paid by March 23), according to part-owner Adam Wachtel.

CONDO COMMANDO and WONDER GAL are still pointing to the Gazelle. Wonder Gal still likely to train up to the race after having not run since last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Top 3-year-old males in New York

1 - EL KABEIR
Trainer: John Terranova
Pedigree: Scat Daddy-Great Venue, by Unbridled’s Song
Last race: 1st in Gotham on March 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 89/95
Target race: Wood Memorial, April 4 at Aqueduct
Comment: Detractors of his will point to a slow time, modest field, and low Beyer Speed Figure, but the way he took dirt, made an inside move, and rallied from well back behind the strong pace bodes well for this colt who had most of his prior success on or near the lead. The Wood should help answer any distance questions.

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2 - FAR FROM OVER
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: Blame-Alchemist, by A.P. Indy
Last race: 1st in Withers on Feb. 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 96/96
Target race: Wood Memorial, April 4 at Aqueduct
Comment: He got back to work Saturday, breezing a half-mile in 49.97 seconds at Palm Beach Downs as he prepares for the Wood Memorial, a race he will enter with two wins in as many starts.

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3 - CLASSY CLASS
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Pedigree: Discreetly Mine-Collegiate, by Saarland
Last race: 3rd in Gotham on March 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 84/91
Target race: Wood Memorial, April 4 at Aqueduct
Comment: He was farther back than his connections had planned after breaking slowly, and ran into a little traffic upper stretch when third in the Gotham. It’s a little disconcerting with how many paths he drifted out in stretch, perhaps an indication that more distance may be an issue.

4 - TIZ SHEA D
Trainer: Bill Mott
Pedigree: Tiznow-Ender’s Sister, by A.P. Indy
Last race: 2nd in Gotham on March 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 84/84
Target race: Wood Memorial, April 4 at Aqueduct
Comment: Won a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race at Parx with an outside closing trip, then, in his first try around two turns and jumping into a stakes, he comes rallying along the rail to get second. Promising future for a colt with pedigree to suggest he wants to go farther.

5 - TENCENDUR
Trainer: George Weaver
Pedigree: Warrior’s Reward-Still Secret, by Hennessy
Last race: 5th in Gotham on March 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 83/89
Target race: Undecided
Comment: He was only beaten 3 3/4 lengths in the Gotham with a bit of a wide trip. He still has issues with his lead changes.

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays

Top 3-year-old fillies in New York

1 - CONDO COMMANDO
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Pedigree: Tiz Wonderful-Yearly Report, by 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: She returned to the worktab Saturday with a slow half-mile in 53.07 seconds, her first breeze since winning the Busher by 4 3/4 lengths. With the weather starting to break, she should be able to start picking up her training in the coming weeks.

2 - WONDER GAL
Trainer: Leah Gyarmati
Pedigree: Tiz Wonderful-Passe, by 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: She has resumed training after a cut on a foot that took a few extra days to heal. Like everyone else, her training has been interrupted due to the weather. Trainer Leah Gyarmati was considering vanning her to Belmont this week to get a workout into her with Belmont’s training track still very sloppy.

3 - ALLITERATION
Trainer: Chad Brown
Pedigree: Congrats-Royal Card, by Chapel Royal
Last race: 1st in maiden special weight race on Feb. 6 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 74/74
Target race: Caesar’s Wish, Saturday at Laurel
Comment: After winning a slow maiden race here five weeks ago, she is expected to take on winners for the first time in the Caesar’s Wish, a one-turn mile at Laurel perhaps as a prep for the Gazelle. She put in a solid half-mile move in 48.66 seconds over the Belmont training track on Sunday.