By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

The $300,000 Gotham (G3), Aqueduct – race 10 – The Gotham is the fifth of six stops on the New York road to the 2024 Kentucky Derby with qualifying points [50-25-15-10-5] that are available to the eligible finishers. A large field of 13 was drawn and a fast pace is expected in this one-turn mile race which is carded as race 10. Post time is set for 5:36 pm EST.

(8) Bergen is one of four 3-year-olds that trainer Brad Cox has entered in the Gotham. He was a debut winner at Keeneland in October against a field of 12 when he raced wide as he rallied to pull clear as the 3-1 favorite. He stretched out to a mile in an allowance at Churchill Downs and finished second after a rough trip. Bergen won the Jimmy Winkfield at Aqueduct in January after stalking the speed in the six-furlong sprint. (10) Just a Touch is also from the Cox barn. The son of Justify was an impressive winner of his only start which was on a sloppy and sealed track at Fair Grounds. He pressed the pace and drew off to win by more than four lengths as an odds-on favorite earning a speed figure that tops the Gotham field. (7) El Grande O was tenacious in his narrow loss in the Withers (G3) when he pressed the pace and battled gamely down the stretch going nine-furlongs. He should appreciate the cutback to the one-turn mile at which he is already a stakes winner against New York-breds. El Grande O has 15 Derby qualifying points (11) Lightline was the favorite in the Withers and finished third in his second start of the year earning 6 Derby points. Betting strategy:  Exacta box: 7, 8, 10, 11. Trifecta box: 7, 8, 10, 11