Visionaire Clears The Fog To Win Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct
Visionaire, under jockey Jose Lezcano, proved that he can be one of the leading Kentucky Derby contenders when he won the $250,000 Gotham Stakes by a nose over Texas Wildcatter at foggy and sloppy Aqueduct on Saturday, March 8.
Trained by Michael Matz for owners Team Valor International and Vision Racing, Visionaire raced 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.60 and paid $11, $5.60 and $3.80, recording his 3rd win in 5 starts. Texas Wildcatter with jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr. returned $5.70 and $3.50. Larrys Revenge, ridden by jockey Joe Bravo, showed $10.80.
The Gotham Stakes is one of the key prep races leading to the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) on April 5 also at Aqueduct and later the 2008 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3, at Churchill Downs.
Roman Emperor is 4th in Aqueduct’s Gotham Stakes followed by Ling Ling Qi, Holidaze, Southern Terminus, Saratoga Russell and Giant Moon, who suffered his first defeat in his career. Laysh Laysh Laysh was scratched.
Team Valor, who won the 1997 Wood Memorial with Captain Bodgit in the slop, may point Visionaire to the 84th running of the Wood Memorial for 3-year-olds at 9 furlongs. The Wood Memorial, New York’s last major prep for the Kentucky Derby, could mean a rematch for Visionaire and Texas Wildcatter.
"Visionaire Clears The Fog To Win Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct" was posted on 8 March 2008 9:40 PM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Stakes Races
10% Instant Bonus, Free & Fast Payouts
Up to 60% Racebook Deposit Bonus +5% Weekly Horse Betting Rebate
Get Reward Points For Free Bets