Study Guide: 2026 Gotham Stakes

Feb 25, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Iron Honor winning his debut at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct is a one-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers.

The Gotham dates back to 1953 and has produced dozens of Kentucky Derby starters through the years. However, legendary 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat is the only Gotham starter to win the Kentucky Derby.

Will that change in 2026? Anything’s possible since a promising field has entered this year’s Gotham. Let’s meet the nine entrants:

Balboa

Balboa (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 7
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Albaugh Family Stables
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Jockey: Sheldon Russell

Top Speed Rating: (94) when finishing third in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $189,600

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Tap of War
Color: Bay

Balboa has run well in two Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Aqueduct, finishing third in the Remsen (G2) and second in the Jerome S. But he tired in both races, and his two wins have come in sprints, so it’s fair to wonder if one mile is farther than he wants to run.

Hammond

Hammond wins the Juvenile Sprint. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Lauren King)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: C Two Racing Stable, William H. Milmoe, Mathis Stable, and Ken T. Reimer
Breeder: Aaron and Marie Jones
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez

Top Speed Rating: (91) when finishing third in the Swale S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $84,250

Sire: Charlatan
Dam: Sweet Kisses
Color: Chestnut

Hammond has shown flashes of talent in Florida, most recently finishing third in the seven-furlong Swale S. However, he’ll need to improve from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective if he’s going to beat the Gotham favorites.

Crown the Buckeye

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Paradise Farms, David Staudacher, and Hooties Racing
Breeder: Pick View, Paul W. Schaffer, and William D. Pickerrell
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning the Best of Ohio Cleveland Kindergarten S. at Thistledown.
Total Earnings: $148,500

Sire: Yaupon
Dam: Feisty Tomboy
Color: Bay

Crown the Buckeye has lots of early speed, but he tired in his latest race, finishing eighth in the Lecomte (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He’s facing a couple of serious pace rivals in the Gotham, complicating his path to the winner’s circle.

Fourth and One

Fourth and One wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Stony Pointe Stables
Breeder: Chesapeake Farm & Rockridge Stud, Tamie Semler, and John McConnell
Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart
Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Top Speed Rating: (86) when finishing second in an Aqueduct maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $117,000

Sire: Maxfield
Dam: Wajeeha
Color: Dark bay/brown

Fourth and One faltered in his first start on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, finishing a distant sixth in the Withers S. at Aqueduct. He’ll need a step forward to beat tougher foes in the Gotham.

Right to Party

Right to Party (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Chester Broman Sr.
Breeder: Tony Holmes and Timothy C. Thornton
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Christopher Elliott

Top Speed Rating: (84) when finishing third in a maiden special weight at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $54,200

Sire: Constitution
Dam: Havin’ a Party
Color: Chestnut

Right to Party rallied late to win a one-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct last month. But two starts back, he was beaten nine lengths by Gotham rival Iron Honor in a different maiden race. Turning the tables could be tricky.

Iron Honor

Iron Honor winning his debut at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence, and Glassman Racing
Breeder: Mike Freeny and Pat Freeny
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Manny Franco

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning a maiden special weight at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $46,750

Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Orencia
Color: Bay

The fastest Gotham entrant from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective is Iron Honor. The son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist earned a 99 Brisnet Speed rating when winning his debut in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct. He’s bred to thrive while stretching out over one mile and looms as the horse to beat in the Gotham.

IRON HONOR wins at first asking in R3 at Aqueduct for the Chad Brown barn with @jockeyfranco aboard! 💪 pic.twitter.com/Wr4bJRVgbv

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 13, 2025

Exhibition Only

Exhibition Only (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: SEI Thoroughbreds and Rudy R. Rodriguez
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Jockey: Ruben Silvera

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning a $75,000 maiden optional claimer at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $57,050

Sire: Complexity
Dam: Silla Manila
Color: Bay

After spending three of his first four starts competing on grass, Exhibition Only thrived when switching to dirt for a one-mile $75,000 maiden optional claimer at Aqueduct, leading all the way to dominate by 7 3/4 lengths. Sticking to the same conditions for the Gotham should help his chances.

Creole Chrome

Creole Chrome wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Three Diamonds Farm
Breeder: Gulf Haven Farms
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Jockey: Jaime Torres

Top Speed Rating: (91) when winning an allowance at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $79,150

Sire: Volatile
Dam: Funny Moon
Color: Chestnut

Creole Chrome is expected to scratch from the Gotham.

Dirty Rich

Dirty Rich wins Advent Stakes at Oaklawn Park.(Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Michael McMillan
Breeder: Ralph Colville
Trainer: Peter Miller
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning the Advent S. at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $135,337

Sire: Thousand Words
Dam: Live and Love
Color: Dark bay/brown

Dirty Rich has shown promise in sprints, most notably leading all the way to win the 5 1/2-furlong Advent S. with a sharp 94 Brisnet Speed rating. But can he carry his speed over one mile? Crown the Buckeye and Exhibition Only are unlikely to let Dirty Rich secure an uncontested lead, making it harder for Dirty Rich to stay the Gotham distance.