What are the Gotham Stakes?
The Gotham Stakes is a prominent Grade 3 horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. It is a prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, covering a distance of one mile (8 furlongs) on dirt for 3-year-old thoroughbreds. The event typically occurs in early March.
When do the Gotham Stakes take place in 2025?
The 2024 Gotham Stakes is scheduled to take place on March 1st. This race is eagerly anticipated by horse racing fans and bettors, as it plays a crucial role in determining contenders for the Kentucky Derby.
Gotham Stakes Winners
The Gotham Stakes has seen numerous iconic winners over the decades, many of whom went on to achieve further success in major races. One of the most famous winners is Secretariat in 1973, who clocked an impressive time of 1:33.40.
Other notable winners include Easy Goer (1989), known for his rivalry with Sunday Silence, and Dr. Fager (1967), regarded as one of the fastest horses of his era. More recent champions include Deterministic in 2024 and Raise Cain in 2023.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Flood Zone | Reylu Gutierrez | Brad H. Cox | 1:39.62 |
| 2024 | Deterministic | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | 1:38.09 |
| 2023 | Raise Cain | Jose Lezcano | Ben Colebrook | 1:38.09 |
| 2022 | Jose Lezcano | Steven M. Asmussen | Ricky Courville | 1:39.28 |
| 2021 | Weyburn | Trevor McCarthy | Jimmy Jerkens | 1:38.70 |
| 2020 | Mischevious Alex | Kendrick Carmouche | John Servis | 1:38.80 |
| 2019 | Haikal | Rajiv Maragh | Kiaran McLaughlin | 1:35.63 |
| 2018 | Enticed | Junior Alvarado | Kiaran McLaughlin | 1:38.24 |
| 2017 | J Boys Echo | Robby Albarado | Dale L. Romans | 1:46.34 |
The Gotham Stakes is a key prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering valuable points toward qualifying for the prestigious event. With a competitive field of 3-year-old thoroughbreds, it draws significant attention from trainers, owners, and bettors. Its mile-long distance serves as a good test for young horses transitioning to longer races later in the season.
