Visionaire rallies through fog for Gotham

Team Valor and Vision Racing's VISIONAIRE (Grand Slam) enhanced his Kentucky Derby (G1) credentials with a victory in Saturday's $250,000 Gotham Stakes (GIII), rallying from last to first under Jose Lezcano for a nose decision. In dreary, foggy conditions at Aqueduct, Visionaire advanced into contention on the far turn and overhauled a game Texas Wildcatter (Monarchos) in the final yards for his initial stakes victory. The Michael Matz-trained colt splashed his way through 1 1/16 miles on the sloppy inner track in 1:44 3/5.

"We went into the TV room (to watch the race) and couldn't see a darn thing (because of the fog)," Team Valor's Barry Irwin said. "We couldn't see anything until the stretch. That's the way to watch a horse race: just watch the last eighth, then you don't get nervous."

Saratoga Russell (Trippi), the 8-5 favorite, sprinted to the fore and established early splits in :23 3/5 and :46 1/5 while under pressure. The pacesetter began to retreat on the far turn as Texas Wildcatter advanced three wide to the lead, and Visionaire was in full flight at this point making up ground on the leaders from off the pace. Texas Wildcatter stormed into the stretch with a clear lead, but the fast-finishing Visionaire would not be denied in the end.

"I knew there was some speed in the race, and I was in no hurry to ask my horse," Lezcano said. "My plan was just to make one move and come with a strong finish. I felt I had a lot of horse coming off the turn. I think he showed how good a horse he was today. He handled everything."

Sent off as the 9-2 third choice, Visionaire returned $11, $5.60 and $3.80. Texas Wildcatter was off at nearly 6-1 and gave back $5.70 and $3.50. It was 7 3/4 lengths back to 36-1 outsider Larrys Revenge (Vindication), who paid $10.80. The exacta totaled $84.50, the trifecta $1,305, and the 10-7-8-3 superfecta, with the near 7-1 Roman Emperor (Empire Maker) in fourth, was good for $6,599. Ling Ling Qi (Yonaguska), Holidaze (Harlan's Holiday), Southern Terminus (More Than Ready), Saratoga Russell and 7-2 second choice Giant Moon (Giant's Causeway) rounded out the order of finish. Laysh Laysh Laysh (Whywhywhy) was withdrawn.

Bred in Kentucky by Reiley McDonald, Visionaire passed through the sales ring three times, eventually bringing $220,000 at the 2007 OBS June two-year-old sale. He's the second foal out of the stakes-placed Scarlet Tango (French Deputy), who is also the dam of the juvenile gelding Jean Jammin (Cape Town) and an unnamed yearling colt by Yes It's True. This is the same female family of Grade 3 winner and 2006 Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Point Determined (Point Given).

A maiden winner second time out in his juvenile finale, Visionaire opened 2008 with a resounding 5 1/2-length allowance score at Gulfstream Park. He jumped to stakes company next out in the Risen Star S. (G3) at Fair Grounds and finished third, 2 3/4 lengths back of the winning Pyro (Pulpit). With Saturday's $150,000 payday, Visionaire has now earned $228,260 from a 5-3-1-1 line.

Visionaire will likely make his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Wood Memorial (G1) on April 5.