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 Kentucky Derby 2026 with 105 qualifying points [50-25-15-10-5] that are available to the top five finishers. A field of 9 was drawn but only eight will run with the scratch of the Louisiana-bred Creole Chrome. (6) Iron Honor was an impressive debut in December at Aqueduct when he pressed the pace and drew off to beat a field where the second and third-place finishers came back to win. He earned a speed figure that clearly tops this Gotham field. (2) Hammond won a stakes race for Juveniles at Gulfstream Park in November and then was third in the Swale behind two well-regarded Derby contenders. (5) Right to Party was third behind the top choice in his first start and then broke his maiden going a mile. (4) Fourth and One hit the board in a pair of NY-bred stakes before breaking his maiden by more than seven lengths. Betting strategy:  Exacta key box: 6 with 2, 4, 5. Trifecta box: 2, 4, 5, 6.