Gotham very much in flux as trainers map routes for their 3-year-olds

Definite maybe.

That may be the best way to describe the sentiments expressed by many horsemen with 3-year-olds nominated to the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes on Feb. 28.

There are 37 nominees to the Gotham, a one-turn mile race that offers its winner 50 qualifying points – essentially win and you’re in – to the Kentucky Derby on May 2. That said, there are zero horses nominated by trainers Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, or Bob Baffert, a trio of horsemen that combined have 75 Triple Crown nominated horses. Chad Brown, who has 21 Triple Crown nominees, has two nominated and is likely to run impressive debut winner Iron Honor.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Monday that undefeated 3-year-old Solitude Dude – who is 3 for 3 in one-turn races – would run in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, a two-turn race at Gulfstream Park the same day as the Gotham. Joseph said he plans to run Hammond, third to Solitude Dude in the Swale, in the Gotham.

Right to Party, a second-out maiden winner for trainer Kenny McPeek on Jan. 10, is expected for the Gotham.

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Exhibition Only, a sharp maiden winner here the day before his same connections won the Withers with Talk to Me Jimmy, is possible for the Gotham.

Balboa and Taj Mahal, both owned by SF Racing et al., and trained by Brittany Russell, are entered in Saturday’s Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel, but one could be re-routed here, Tom Ryan of SF Racing indicated.

Then there is Napoleon Solo. The winner of the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes here last October but unraced since would seemingly be the favorite in the Gotham should he run. Napoleon Solo, who is in training in South Florida, also is being considered for the Fountain of Youth. Trainer Chad Summers seemed to be leaning toward the Fountain of Youth but hasn’t ruled out the Gotham.

Summers has two concerns about the Gotham. One is the long van ride from Florida. Second, he doesn’t trust the weather to allow for uninterrupted training in New York thereafter, believing that following the Gotham his next-spot opportunities are the Wood Memorial or Blue Grass.

Noble Affair, a Steve Asmussen-trained runner, was being considered for the Gotham but has had his training interrupted due to a foot issue, Asmussen said.

Trainer Amelia Green has potential Gotham starters in Easy Decision or Minorinconvenience.

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