Md-based Old Time Revival second in Gotham; Enticed wins
Old Time Revival (between horses) was second in the Miracle Wood Stakes. Photo by Laurie Asseo.
From a New York Racing Association release
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is a bit shorter following the conclusion of Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham at Aqueduct Racetrack, as Godolphin’s homebred colt Enticed closed outside to win the mile race by 2 ¾ lengths in a final time of 1:38.24.
Meanwhile, Maryland shipper Old Time Revival made a surprisingly strong case of his own going forward, setting the early fractions before settling for second, well clear of show horse Free Drop Billy, the 8-5 post time favorite.
Making his fifth career start, Enticed drew the outside post among the field of nine, which gave trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and jockey Junior Alvarado the option of laying outside while letting the rest sort themselves out to their inside. All that was needed was a clean break and a clear path, McLaughlin had said before the race, and that’s exactly what Enticed delivered.
“It worked out great,” said McLaughlin. “Junior rode a great race. The ‘clean faced’ plan worked out well. It was a great run and everything went perfect. It was a great race.”
From the gate, Old Time Revival set the early pace while Cove Blue, one of two sent by trainer Dale Romans, sat close in company with Nine Route to his outside. The trio led the way while Enticed sat patiently to the outside under Alvarado, while Free Drop Billy and jockey Dylan Davis settled well behind with only Whereshetoldmetogo beat through the early going. After an opening quarter-mile in 23.14 seconds, Free Drop Billy began a steady advance with Firenze Fire, the 5-2 second wagering choice, ahead of him in sixth.
Old Time Revival took the field through a half-mile in 46.43 and continued to look strong under Jeremy Rose as Enticed began to make a run. Into the stretch, Enticed came outside, forcing Old Time Revival to work harder and, with three-quarters going in 1:11.77, the 4 ½-length margin held by the leader was diminished, as Enticed drew clear to the wire under Alvarado.
Old Time Revival, a son of Brethren who was sent off at 35-1, was vanned up from Laurel Park on Friday morning bringing with him just a maiden victory and a second-place finish in the Miracle Wood after he was caught to miss by a neck at the wire. His performance impressed his trainer Kenneth Decker.
“He ran a nice race, he’s learning and he’s getting better and better every time,” Decker said. “We came back a little quick out of the last race, it was three weeks. He ran a nice race and we’ll see how he comes out of it and go from there.
“That was his race. You have to let him run his race and let him get out there and get comfortable. We tried to rate him a couple of races back and he just showed us that he can get out there and get his pace. He’s going to keep getting better and we’ll just keep stretching him out. He handles all the challenges and he’s just been a nice colt to work with.”
The Gotham was worth 50 points to the winner on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, and Old Time Revival collected 20 for finishing second.
