Aqueduct Racetrack – Ozone Park, Queens, New York
$300,000 – 1 mile (one turn) – Dirt – For 3-year-olds
(50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points)
Scheduled Post Time: 5:18 PM ET

Aqueduct Racetrack is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. The Gotham Stakes is one of the oldest and most prestigious early-season Derby preps in New York, traditionally a key “win-and-you’re-in” type stepping stone on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. This is the 73rd running, and the 2026 edition features a compact but high-quality field of eight sophomores on a loaded Gotham Day card.

Expected Weather Conditions
Cold and dry with highs near 47°F (8°C) by post time and lows in the low 30s°F overnight. Skies partly to mostly cloudy with light winds (5–10 mph northwest). Precipitation chance near 0%. Track temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s°F. Perfect winter racing weather with no moisture expected.

Track Conditions: Main dirt track – expected fast. Aqueduct’s winter inner dirt has played fair to slightly inside-favoring in one-turn miles this meet, with tactical speed and stalkers excelling when early fractions are honest. No extreme bias noted in recent condition books.

Full Field with Post Positions, Morning-Line Odds, Jockeys, Trainers, Weights:

Detailed Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer:

PP 1 – Balboa (Not This Time – …, 3YO Colt, 6/1, 123 lbs, J: Sheldon Russell, T: Brittany T. Russell)
A battle-tested colt with proven stakes form. Third in the Remsen (G2) at 1 1/8 miles here in December and a solid second in the Jerome S. (one-turn mile) last out. Sheldon Russell (family barn) knows him perfectly and should have him forwardly placed or stalking from the rail. Brittany Russell is sharp with her New York shippers. The cutback to a flat mile suits him, and the inside post is a bonus. Live contender at square odds; must-use in all tickets.

PP 2 – Hammond (… – …, 3YO Colt, 5/1, 123 lbs, J: Jaime Rodriguez, T: Saffie Joseph, Jr.)
Came from off the pace to finish a fast-closing third in the Swale S. (7f) at Gulfstream in a sharp time. Joseph is excellent stretching his Gulfstream runners to New York, and Rodriguez is a meet leader. Tactical speed and the pedigree to handle the mile make him dangerous, though the class jump from allowance/optional to graded is real. Strong exotic player.

PP 3 – Crown the Buckeye (… – …, 3YO Colt, 4/1, 123 lbs, J: Ricardo Santana, Jr., T: Michael Maker)
Maker’s speed type who set the pace in the Lecomte S. (G3) at 1 1/16 miles before fading to eighth; prior to that he was a game third in the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds. Santana, Jr. will look to send him early from post 3. Sharp recent works suggest a rebound is possible on the cutback to one turn. Live at 4/1 with pace-setting ability.

PP 4 – Fourth and One (… – …, 3YO Colt, 20/1, 123 lbs, J: Jose Lezcano, T: Jeremiah Englehart)
New York-bred who was stakes-placed twice locally before a big maiden win at the mile here. Lezcano is excellent at rationing speed, and Englehart hits occasional longshots at Aqueduct. He’s overmatched on paper but could pick up a piece if the pace melts. Best in superfectas only.

PP 5 – Right to Party (… – …, 3YO Colt, 8/1, 123 lbs, J: Chris Elliott, T: Kenny McPeek)
Broke his maiden at Aqueduct going a mile last out with a strong rally from last to win by over a length. McPeek (master of Derby preps) and Elliott give him a big chance to improve. The one-turn mile is ideal, and he’s a logical underneath horse at 8/1.

PP 6 – Iron Honor (Nyquist – …, 3YO Colt, 6/5, 123 lbs, J: Manuel Franco, T: Chad C. Brown)
The clear morning-line favorite and most logical winner. Debuted with a visually impressive 1 ½-length win in a 6-furlong maiden special weight here on Dec. 13, earning a huge 95 Beyer / 99 Brisnet figure while tracking and finishing strongly. Brown (perennial NYRA stakes king) and Franco (perfect fit) have him ready for the stretch-out. Breeding (Nyquist out of a Blame mare) screams mile suitability. The class jump is the only question, but everything else screams star-in-the-making. The one to beat.

PP 7 – Exhibition Only (Complexity – …, 3YO Colt, 15/1, 123 lbs, J: Ruben Silvera, T: Rudy R. Rodriguez)
Consistent New York-bred with lower figures. Silvera and Rodriguez know the track, but this is a significant step up. Will need pace help and is best as a deep exotic filler.

PP 8 – Creole Chrome (… – …, 3YO Colt, 12/1, 123 lbs, J: Francisco Arrieta, T: Gustavo Rodriguez)
Improving sort with a recent strong speed figure. Arrieta is riding well, and the outside post is fine for a closer. Live longshot chance to hit the board if the favorites overdo it early.

Overall Outlook and Betting Angles:
This is a classic “favorite vs. the field” Gotham with Iron Honor (#6) towering on talent and figures after a monster debut for Chad Brown. The pace should be moderate-to-honest with Crown the Buckeye (#3) and possibly Balboa (#1) involved early, setting it up perfectly for Iron Honor or stalkers like Balboa and Right to Party (#5). The Aqueduct one-turn mile favors tactical speed and horses with proven local form.

Aqueduct Racetrack – Ozone Park, Queens, New York
1 mile (one turn) – Dirt – For 4-year-olds and upward
Scheduled Post Time: 4:15 PM ET

Aqueduct Racetrack is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. The Stymie Stakes, named after the legendary handicap star of the 1940s, is a traditional mid-winter test for older horses and serves as a key local prep for the Grade II Carter (April 5) and other spring stakes. This year’s edition drew a compact, competitive field of six on Gotham Day, part of a loaded 10-race card.

Expected Weather
Cold and dry with highs near 47°F (8°C) by post time and lows in the low 30s°F overnight. Skies partly to mostly cloudy with light winds (5–10 mph northwest). Precipitation chance near 0%. Track temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s°F. The main dirt track is currently fast and should stay that way — no overnight moisture and recent cards have been played on a firm, sealed-fast surface in similar cold/dry conditions.

Track Conditions: Main dirt track – expected fast. Aqueduct’s winter inner dirt has favored inside posts and tactical speed in one-turn miles this meet, with stalkers and closers getting their chance when early fractions are honest. No extreme bias noted in recent condition books.

Full Field with Post Positions, Morning-Line Odds, Jockeys, Trainers, Weights:

Detailed Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer:

PP 1 – Ridgewood Runner (Klimt – Honored Promise, 6YO Gelding, 12/1, 119 lbs, J: Christopher Elliott, T: Michelle Nevin)
A six-time winner and consistent grinder for the Nevin barn. He’s a confirmed closer who has hit the board in several recent optional-claiming and allowance races at Aqueduct and elsewhere. Elliott is a capable rider on the inner rail, but this is a sharp class hike. Nevin knows the track well and has had success with similar longshots in winter stakes. He’ll need a hot pace and a clean trip from the fence to factor late; best used in the superfecta or as a deep bomb at 12/1.

PP 2 – Full Screen (Big Screen – Lyndenshire, 7YO Gelding, 8/5, 121 lbs, J: Manuel Franco, T: Brad H. Cox)
The clear morning-line favorite and most logical winner. This multiple stakes-winning Ontario-bred has been dominant since being haltered for $100,000 last summer: a six-length optional-claiming romp here in November and a five-length score in the Listed Queens County on Dec. 27 (career-best 101 Beyer). Cox (dual Eclipse winner) has him razor-sharp, and Franco is a perfect fit on the one-turn mile. He has tactical speed, loves the Aqueduct surface, and projects to sit a dream stalking trip just off any early pace. Very tough to beat in current form.

PP 3 – Phileas Fogg (Astern (AUS) – …, 5YO Horse, 9/5, 123 lbs, J: Jaime Rodriguez, T: Gustavo Rodriguez)
A legitimate Grade 2 winner making his first start with blinkers removed. He has high-class form and the speed to be forwardly placed from post 3. Rodriguez retains the mount and should have him in a perfect stalking position. The barn is sharp at the meet, and this cutback to one mile should suit his style perfectly. At 9/5 he’s a short price, but the class and recent works make him a major threat to the favorite.

PP 4 – Yo Daddy (Yoshida (JPN) – Elle Stormin’, 5YO Gelding, 5/1, 119 lbs, J: Jose Lezcano, T: Linda Rice)
Multiple graded stakes-placed and Aqueduct’s winter meet-leading trainer Linda Rice’s top hope. He just won a nine-furlong optional-claiming route here on Feb. 4 by 1¾ lengths and has hit the board in 12 of his last 15 starts since Rice claimed him for $50,000. Lezcano is excellent at rationing speed on this track. The cutback to one mile is a question mark (he was fifth in last year’s Stymie), but his consistency and Rice’s hot hand make him a live exotic play at 5/1.

PP 5 – Counterspy (Gun Runner – …, 6YO Gelding, 15/1, 119 lbs, J: Francisco Martinez, T: Robert Mosco)
Grade 3-placed veteran with lower recent figures. He’s a confirmed closer who can pick up pieces when the pace collapses, but this field is deeper than his typical level. Martinez is capable, and Mosco hits occasional longshots at the meet, but at 15/1 he’s best used only in the bottom of multis.

PP 6 – Komorebino Omoide (JPN) (California Chrome – Decennial, 6YO Horse, 7/2, 123 lbs, J: Ramon A. Vazquez, T: Rob Atras)
The well-traveled graded stakes winner (G3 Steve Sexton Mile, etc.) makes his New York and first start for new trainer Rob Atras. A versatile 6-time winner with wins at a mile and sprints, he pressed fast fractions and finished a solid fifth in the Listed Tenacious last out. Vazquez (meet leader) gets the mount, and the sharp 5-furlong work (1:01.20) on Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds shows he’s ready. The class is there, but the cross-country trip and new barn are question marks. Live second choice at 7/2 with big upside.

Overall Outlook and Betting Angles:
This is a high-quality Listed stakes with two standouts in Full Screen (#2) (recent Aqueduct dominance and Cox barn) and Phileas Fogg (#3) (G2 winner with ideal post). Komorebino Omoide (#6) adds international class at a square price, while Yo Daddy (#4) offers value as a consistent Rice runner cutting back. Pace should be moderate-to-honest with Full Screen and possibly Ridgewood Runner involved early, setting it up for stalkers.

Aqueduct Racetrack – Ozone Park, Queens, New York
$175,000 – 6 furlongs – Dirt – For 4-year-olds and upward
Scheduled Post Time: 2:13 PM ET

Aqueduct Racetrack is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. This is the 51st running of the Tom Fool Stakes (named after the legendary Hall of Famer), a traditional mid-winter sprint test and key prep for the Grade II Carter Stakes on April 5. The race headlines an early slot on Gotham Day, a loaded 10-race card that also features the Busher and Gotham Stakes.

Expected Weather Conditions
Cold but dry winter afternoon with highs near 47°F (8°C) by post time and lows around 30°F overnight. Skies partly to mostly cloudy with winds light (5–10 mph from the northwest). Precipitation chance near 0–10% (no rain or snow expected). Track temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s°F. The main dirt track is currently listed as fast and should remain that way — no overnight precipitation and recent cards have been played on a sealed/fast surface when cold and dry. Monitor NYRA updates for any wind-chill effects on riders.

Track Conditions: Main dirt track – expected fast. Aqueduct’s winter dirt has been speed-favoring in sprints this meet, especially inside posts when the rail is good. Six-furlong races here often see early pace hold up or stalkers pounce late off moderate fractions.

Full Field with Post Positions, Morning-Line Odds, Jockeys, Trainers, Weights:

Detailed Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer:

PP 1 – Breslau (Violence – Curlin N Twirlin, 7YO Gelding, 10/1, 119 lbs, J: Ricardo Santana, Jr., T: Michael Miceli)
A 10-time winner and veteran sprinter for the Miceli barn. He’s a confirmed front-runner who loves the inner rail and has posted solid early fractions at Aqueduct. Recent efforts include competitive optional-claiming placings, but this is a significant class jump into graded company. Santana, Jr. (a meet leader) knows how to ration speed from the fence. Miceli hits at a solid rate with his claimers-turned-stakes runners, but Breslau will likely be pressured early and may weaken late. Best used underneath in exactas/trifectas at a square price.

PP 2 – One Nine Hundred (Dialed In – Hedonism, 4YO Colt, 4/5, 119 lbs, J: Jose Lezcano, T: Thomas Morley)
The clear morning-line favorite and most logical winner. He earned a career-best 104 Beyer in a dominant 4½-length optional-claiming victory over this exact course and distance on Jan. 9 (1:09.84 with sharp early splits). He’s been in excellent form all winter for Morley, who calls him “a very, very fast horse who has matured physically.” Lezcano retains the mount and should have him stalking or pressing comfortably from post 2. The 4YO has tactical versatility and the pedigree to handle the cold and the fast track. Morley is having a strong winter at NYRA. He’s very tough to beat if he repeats his last effort.

PP 3 – Bold Journey (Hard Spun – Polly Freeze, 7YO Gelding, 9/2, 119 lbs, J: Eric Cancel, T: William I. Mott)
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s veteran with graded stakes experience (G3 winner). He was fifth in last year’s Tom Fool but has been consistent in allowance/optional company this winter. Cancel knows him well and will look to sit a stalking trip just off the early pace. Mott is always dangerous in these mid-winter sprints at Aqueduct. At 9/2 he offers some value if the favorite over-performs early or the pace melts. Solid exotic play with proven class.

PP 4 – Acoustic Ave (Maclean’s Music, 6YO Gelding, 3/1, 119 lbs, J: Manuel Franco, T: Linda Rice)
New York-bred specialist for Linda Rice (perennial leading trainer at the meet). He just missed by 1¾ lengths in the state-bred Say Florida Sandy (7f) last Saturday on short rest, showing he’s sharp. Grade 3-placed (runner-up in the Elite Power last December) with an 11-4-5-1 record this year. Franco is excellent at rationing speed on the Aqueduct dirt. Rice loves cutting this one back to six furlongs, and the cutback should suit him perfectly. Live chance to upset the favorite at 3/1; a must-use in all tickets.

PP 5 – Full Moon Madness (Into Mischief, 6YO Gelding, 4/1, 123 lbs, J: Reylu Gutierrez, T: Michelle Nevin)
The defending champion (won last year’s Tom Fool by 1¼ lengths with a prominent trip). He has four of five career wins at Aqueduct and loves the surface. Recent form is mixed — a solid neck second at Delaware in June but only a fourth (beaten 2¼ lengths) in a 6½f handicap at Laurel in January after breaking inward. Gutierrez knows him well and will likely send him forward from the outside. Nevin’s barn is in good form, but the 123-pound high weight and slightly regressive recent efforts make him vulnerable. Still, he’s a dangerous closer if the pace is hot.

Overall Outlook and Betting Angles:
This is a high-quality, compact Grade III sprint with a logical standout in One Nine Hundred (#2), who brings the highest recent figure and ideal post. The pace should be honest with Breslau (#1) and possibly Full Moon Madness (#5) up front, setting it up perfectly for the favorite or stalkers like Acoustic Ave (#4) and Bold Journey (#3). The Aqueduct winter dirt favors inside-to-mid posts and horses with proven speed figures over the surface.

Aqueduct Racetrack – Ozone Park, Queens, New York
$200,000 – 1 mile (one turn) – Dirt – For 3-year-old fillies
(50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points; reduced proportionally with small field)
Scheduled Post Time: 1:13 PM ET

Aqueduct Racetrack is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. This is the traditional winter home for New York racing and a key early stop on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The Busher is a historic stepping stone for sophomore fillies, though this year’s edition drew a compact but quality field of just five.

Expected Weather Conditions
Mostly cloudy to partly sunny with highs in the mid-40s°F (around 47°F / 8°C) by post time. Lows in the low 30s°F overnight. Winds light (5–10 mph southwest). Precipitation chance 10% or less — no meaningful rain expected. Track temperatures should hold in the mid-40s°F. The main dirt track is currently fast and should remain that way (no overnight precipitation in the forecast; recent days have seen sealed/muddy surfaces, but this card looks dry and playable).

Track Conditions:

Main dirt track – expected fast. Aqueduct’s inner dirt this winter has played fair to slightly inside-favoring in one-turn routes, with speed holding reasonably well when the rail is good. No bias extremes noted in recent condition books.

Full Field with Post Positions, Morning-Line Odds, Jockeys, Trainers, Weights:

Detailed Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer:

PP 1 – Nycon (Nyquist – Raise the Flag, 3YO Filly, 3/1, 123 lbs, J: Jaime A. Torres, T: D. Whitworth Beckman)
Beckman’s first string and a solid closer. She was a neck second in the Cash Run S. on New Year’s Day while chasing a moderate pace. Torres (a meet leader) knows her well. The rail is a plus in a small field with limited early speed, but she may need to overcome a slow start. Beckman won this race last year with Drexel Hill (who later placed in the Oaks), so the barn has the recipe. Solid exotic player at square odds.

PP 2 – Current Yield (Nyquist – Denali Tizadream, 3YO Filly, 6/1, 123 lbs, J: Jaime Rodriguez, T: Chad C. Brown)
Klaravich Stables color-bearer making her stakes and two-turn debut off a dominant 1¾-length maiden win at Tampa Bay Downs (6½f, Jan 31). She pressed a fast pace and drew off with a 58 Beyer. Brown is 28% with second-out sophomores and excels stretching out his maidens. Rodriguez is riding confidently at the meet. She has tactical speed and the pedigree (Nyquist) to handle the mile, but the class jump is significant. Live longshot with upside.

PP 3 – Paradise (Gun Runner – Sounds of the City, 3YO Filly, 7/5, 123 lbs, J: Manuel Franco, T: Brad H. Cox)
The morning-line favorite and most logical on paper. Lightly raced daughter of Gun Runner; broke her maiden going a mile at Gulfstream (Jan 4) with a stalking trip and strong finish. Cox (perennial NYRA stakes threat) has her cross-entered in the Davona Dale at Gulfstream the same day — a strong vote of confidence if she stays here. Franco is a perfect 2-for-3 aboard her and rides the rail-to-center effectively. She has the pedigree to improve with distance and should sit a dream mid-pack trip. The one to beat.

PP 4 – Blazing Brat (Beau Liam – Brittney Brat, 3YO Filly, 10/1, 123 lbs, J: Joseph D. Ramos, T: D. Whitworth Beckman)
Beckman’s second entry and the likely longest shot. She was second in the Sandpiper S. at Tampa last out but has lower figures than the top contenders. Ramos is capable but the filly faces a big class hike. She’ll need the pace to collapse to factor; best used in superfectas or as a deep bomb. Same barn as Nycon gives the trainer a strong hand overall.

PP 5 – Interstatelovesong (Bolt d’Oro – Gentle Humor, 3YO Filly, 8/5, 123 lbs, J: Ricardo Santana, Jr., T: Thomas Morley)
The other co-favorite and the most experienced. She debuted with a second at Aqueduct (Nov 20), then romped by 5 lengths in a Dec 26 maiden special weight here. Most recently she set the pace and fought gamely to a neck second in the Ruthless S. (Feb 6, 7f at Aqueduct) while clear of the rest by 10 lengths. Morley calls her a “big, talented filly with a fabulous mind — very ratable and fast.” Santana, Jr. retains the mount and should have her forwardly placed from the outside. She loves the Aqueduct surface and projects to sit a perfect trip. Very tough to beat in current form.

Overall Outlook and Betting Angles:
This is a high-quality, small-field Kentucky Oaks prep with two standouts in Interstatelovesong (#5) and Paradise (#3). Interstatelovesong has the most proven stakes form and tactical speed; Paradise brings the Gun Runner upside and Cox magic. The Beckmann duo (Nycon and Blazing Brat) adds depth, while Current Yield is the wild card stretching out for Brown. Pace should be moderate-to-honest with Interstatelovesong and Current Yield up front.