Timing of Gander Stakes attracts Bourbon Bay

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bourbon Bay, who dead-heated for second with Prince of Pharoahs behind Independence Hall in the Jerome Stakes here on New Year’s Day, will make his next start in Sunday’s $100,000 Gander Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.

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Bourbon Bay had been nominated to the Withers Stakes, but his connections felt the Gander was a better spot for him before potentially tackling open stakes company.

“This is at a mile, it gives us a little more time,” trainer Mark Hennig said. “He had been running every three weeks, so we felt the extra two weeks might be key, especially if he happens to go forward. We haven’t shut out the idea of going back to a [Kentucky Derby] prep race of some kind provided this goes well.”

Others under consideration for the Gander include Bank On Shea, Chowda, Dream Bigger, Harris Bay, Microscope, Scilly Cay, and possibly Prince of Pharoahs.