Gotham (GIII)

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA 50-25-15-10-5
March 1, 2025

Gotham Stakes History

It takes a mighty good horse to handle the cold winter weather at Aqueduct, compete in the Gotham (G3), and later land in the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner’s circle. How good, you ask? Considering immortal Triple Crown winner Secretariat is the only Gotham participant to ever win the Kentucky Derby, maybe the feat requires a superstar.

Chalk it up to the Secretariat Curse, or just plain bad luck, but despite producing an abundance of Derby starters—nearly 50 runners between 1980 and 2023—few Gotham alumni have managed to vie for victory on the first Saturday in May.

That’s not to say the Gotham isn’t a quality race. Quite to the contrary, the roster of winners includes some of racing’s all-time greats. In addition to Secretariat, who defied history to complete the Gotham/Derby double in 1973, the one-mile race has been won by champions Native Dancer (1953), Jaipur (1962), Dr. Fager (1967), Easy Goer (1989), and Lure (1992). Easy Goer’s triumph was particularly vivid as he won by 13 lengths in the blazing time of 1:32.40, establishing a stakes record.

However, this rich history hasn’t translated to success for Gotham participants on the first Saturday in May. Gotham winners Native Dancer, General Assembly (1979), Easy Goer, and Aptitude (2000) all finished second in the Kentucky Derby, but other highlights have been few and far between. During the 44-year period from 1980 through 2023, just two Gotham starters managed to hit the board at Churchill Downs.

But perhaps the Gotham is due for a renaissance. The race has offered 50 Kentucky Derby qualification points to the winner since 2013, and with this lofty prize in tow, a string of high-profile winners could be just around the corner.

By J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

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Road to the Kentucky Derby

Remsen

December 7, 2024

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun

December 11, 2024

Kawasaki • Kawasaki, Japan

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Remington Springboard Mile

December 13, 2024

Remington Park • Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Los Alamitos Futurity (GII)

December 14, 2024

Los Alamitos • Cypress, CA, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Gun Runner

December 21, 2024

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Jerome

January 4, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Smarty Jones

January 4, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Lecomte (GIII)

January 18, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Southwest (GIII)

January 25, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Withers (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Robert B. Lewis (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Holy Bull (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Sam F. Davis (GIII)

February 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Risen Star (GII)

February 15, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Hyacinth

February 16, 2025

Tokyo Racecourse • Tokyo, Japan

Points: 30-15-9-6-3

Sunland Derby (GIII)

February 16, 2025

Sunland Park • Sunland Park, NM, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

John Battaglia Memorial

February 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Rebel (GII)

February 22, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes

February 26, 2025

Kempton • Sunbury-on-Thames, England, UK

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Patton

February 28, 2025

Dundalk • Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Fountain of Youth (GII)

March 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

San Felipe (GII)

March 1, 2025

Santa Anita • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Gotham (GIII)

March 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Tampa Bay Derby (GII)

March 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Virginia Derby

March 15, 2025

Colonial Downs • New Kent, VA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Fukuryu

March 22, 2025

Nakayama • Funabashi, Chiba, Japan

Points: 40-20-12-8-4

Louisiana Derby (GII)

March 22, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII)

March 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Arkansas Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Florida Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

UAE Derby (GII)

April 5, 2025

Meydan Racecourse • Dubai, UAE

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Santa Anita Derby (GI)

April 5, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Blue Grass (GI)

April 5, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Wood Memorial (GII)

April 5, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Lexington (GIII)

April 12, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

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