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Unbeaten Record on the Line in Gotham Stakes

The $300,000 Feature Runs at Aqueduct

A hot field lines up for the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday, including Bob Baffert’s Rockefeller and the unbeaten Morello.

It’s an important race on the road to the Kentucky Derby, so all eyes are on the 3-year-old stars.

Unbeaten Record on the Line in Gotham Stakes
Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFP

Horse racing odds have Morello and Rockefeller favored to win, so it could be a two-horse race.

Morello Striking a Chord

The 3-year-old son of Classic Empire is unbeaten after two starts, including the Jimmy Winkfield at Aqueduct last start.

Morello got the better of race rival Life is Great, so the form checks out and the Gotham Stakes looks like the next logical step on the path to the Derby.

Trained by Steven Asmussen, he likes to stalk the pace and kick clear down the stretch, and he has shown improved maturity following his debut win.

“He broke his maiden first out and broke a little slow and still won,” assistant trainer Toby Sheets said. “So, he got a lot of schooling and got the job done. His next race you could tell he matured.”

Going an extra furlong won’t be an issue for the fancied Gotham Stakes runner, who is going under the radar in Derby markets with the sportsbook.

“I don’t think the distance will be a concern,” Sheets added.

Bettors get +300 Morello, which is a fair price for an exciting runner in the making.

Pick: Morello +300

Baffert Charge Ready to Rock

Rockefeller has more exposed form than Morello, which could give the Baffert-trained runner an advantage.

The son of Medaglia d’Oro started his career with a maiden win at Del Mar before running fourth in the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes behind Kentucky Derby favorites Corniche and Pappacap.

He then won the Nashua at Belmont before running second behind the talented Newgrange in the Sham Stakes, so the form checks out.

Baffert is confident of a good run from Rockefeller, who can’t earn any qualification points for the Derby.

“I think he’s turning the corner again,” Baffert said. “I think he’s up for it now. I feel like he should run well there.”

Unbeaten runners always have more intrigue, but bettors shouldn’t overlook the chances of Rockefeller at +350. It’s a value price and we wouldn’t be leaving out of our betting online selections.

Pick: Rockefeller +350

Gotham Stakes Added to Dean’s List?

Dean’s List is another unbeaten runner with plenty of upside and there is confidence in betting markets.

The Todd Pletcher-trained colt has won both starts at Gulfstream Park, but has yet to race further than six furlongs.

The form behind him has stacked up well with Dean Delivers and In Due Time performing well since, so his form has been franked.

WinStar CEO Elliott Walden is excited about running in the Gotham Stakes, but he’s not getting ahead of himself.

“We’re excited about running in the Gotham and seeing how he does at a mile. We’ll see how it plays out, Walden said.

“I want to see him run a mile before we talk about a mile and an eighth. But, his works have been good. He’s very game and this is a good test for him.”

Dean’s List has been backed into +350, which is the same line as the well-performed Rockefeller. It’s a confident betting move, but everything points towards a top effort at Aqueduct.

Pick: Dean’s List +350

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