The 2026 Gotham Stakes represents a pivotal moment on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering a massive 50 qualifying points to the winner. This Grade 3 event at Aqueduct Racetrack serves as the ultimate test for three-year-olds looking to prove they possess the tactical speed and stamina required for the first Saturday in May. As the centerpiece of New York’s winter racing calendar, the Gotham provides a unique one-turn mile challenge that often produces explosive speed figures. For serious horseplayers, securing the best Gotham Stakes odds requires looking beyond the surface and analyzing how these sophomores handle the transition from sprints to middle-distance routes.
The New York Racing Association has officially scheduled the 2026 Gotham Stakes for Saturday, February 28, 2026. This prestigious race typically serves as the 10th race on a lucrative 11-race card at Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, New York. Fans can witness the action live on FOX Business as part of the "America’s Day at the Races" program, which provides expert commentary and paddock analysis throughout the afternoon. For those who prefer digital access, the BUSR Experience platform offers high-definition streaming directly to mobile devices. Ensure you coordinate your Gotham Stakes betting strategy around the scheduled post time of 5:18 PM ET to ensure you don't miss the break.
The forecast for Ozone Park on February 28, 2026, suggests a typical New York winter afternoon with a high of 47°F and a low of 30°F. While the skies remain mostly cloudy, current meteorological data indicates only a 10% chance of precipitation, which bodes well for a "Fast" main track. However, New York weather in late February remains notoriously fickle. A sudden shift in the jet stream could easily bring moisture from the Atlantic, potentially turning the surface "Sloppy" or "Muddy." Bettors should monitor the track conditions closely, as a wet surface significantly boosts the chances of mudders who can handle the kickback in their faces.
The Gotham Day card is not a one-race show; it features four massive stakes races with total purses exceeding $800,000. Supporting the main event is the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap for older sprinters, the Listed Stymie Stakes, and the Busher Stakes for three-year-old fillies. This "Super Saturday" atmosphere creates a deep pool of wagering opportunities, including a guaranteed late Pick 4 and Pick 5. If you want to bet on the Gotham Stakes, you must also look at the undercard to identify track biases. Early races often reveal whether the rail is the place to be or if closers are finding success on the outside paths.
First contested in 1953, the Gotham Stakes holds a storied position in American racing history. The legendary Secretariat used this race as a springboard to his Triple Crown glory in 1973, winning the Gotham in a then-record time. Other icons like Native Dancer (1953), Dr. Fager (1967), and Easy Goer (1989) have also graced the winner's circle at the Big A. In recent years, winners like Deterministic (2024) and Raise Cain (2023) have shown that the one-turn mile is a specialized distance that favors horses with high "cruising speed." Reviewing these past performances helps analysts understand the betting trends in the Gotham Stakes that define this historic prep race.
| 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 |
Handicapping the 2026 edition requires a balance between raw speed and tactical versatility. Because the race starts on the backstretch of the main track, horses with inside draws often feel immediate pressure from outside speed. Our lead analysts suggest that the 50-point haul often leads to an aggressive early pace, which can set the table for a mid-pack closer. When you look at the Gotham Stakes odds, pay attention to horses coming off layoffs or those shipping in from the Florida circuit. Historically, New York-based horses have a slight "home-court" advantage due to the specific composition of the Aqueduct dirt.
Balboa enters the 2026 Gotham Stakes as a battle-tested contender for trainer Brittany Russell. This son of a classic winner most recently finished a gritty second in the Jerome Stakes over this same track and distance. Jockey Sheldon Russell retains the mount, and his familiarity with the colt’s tendencies provides a significant edge. At 6-1 Gotham Stakes odds, Balboa offers excellent value for those who believe his Remsen Stakes third-place finish behind Paladin was no fluke. He possesses the tactical speed to sit just off the leaders and the stamina to grind out a win in the final furlong.
Saffie Joseph, Jr., ships Hammond north after a productive winter in Florida. This speedy individual finished third in the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, showing plenty of zip through the first half-mile. Jockey Jaime Rodriguez takes the reins for the first time on the Big A circuit. The primary concern for Hammond is the stretch-out to a mile; his pedigree suggests he might be a pure sprinter. However, if he can clear the field early without facing a suicide pace, he could prove difficult to catch. Investors looking to bet on Gotham Stakes should watch his warm-up for signs of nervousness in the cooler New York air.
Mike Maker is a master at finding the right spots for his trainees, and Crown the Buckeye fits the profile of a Gotham winner. After setting a hot pace in the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds and fading, Maker brings him to New York for a one-turn configuration that should suit his style much better. Ricardo Santana, Jr. is an aggressive rider who will likely send this colt to the front from the opening bell. With 4-1 Gotham Stakes odds, he is the logical alternative to the favorite if you believe the Florida speed is superior to the local New York form.
Fourth and One represents the ultimate longshot in this year's field for trainer Jeremiah Englehart. His most recent effort in the Withers Stakes was underwhelming, as he finished nearly 32 lengths behind the winner. However, cutting back from nine furlongs to a mile could rejuvenate this Jose Lezcano-ridden colt. To succeed here, he needs a complete meltdown of the front-runners. While his Gotham Stakes betting profile suggests he is an outsider, a small wager in the bottom of trifectas might yield a massive payout if the favorites fail to fire.
Kenny McPeek sends out Right to Party, a runner who broke his maiden over this track in impressive fashion. While the final time of that maiden win wasn't eye-popping, the way he galloped out suggests he has plenty of room for improvement. Christopher Elliott gets the call on a horse that needs a fast pace to be effective. If the leaders duel through fractions of 22.4 and 45.2, Right to Party will be the one picking up the pieces in the final sixteenth. He is a "must-use" in any Gotham Stakes betting tickets that involve vertical exotic wagers.
The morning-line favorite Iron Honor is the horse everyone has to beat. Trained by the perennial leader Chad Brown and ridden by Manny Franco, this colt debuted with a stunning 1.5-length victory that earned a massive Equibase speed figure of 88. His breeding suggests the mile is well within his reach, and his training reports from Belmont Park have been nothing short of spectacular. At 6-5 Gotham Stakes odds, he won't make you rich in the win pool, but he looks like a "cinch" for the exacta. His ability to relax and then explode when asked makes him the class of the field.
Exhibition Only is a late-blooming prospect for the Rudy Rodriguez barn. After struggling on the turf as a two-year-old, he switched to the dirt this season and decimated a maiden field by nearly eight lengths. Ruben Silvera is known for his aggressive riding style, and he will likely try to keep Exhibition Only in the hunt early. While this is a massive step up in class, the Gotham Stakes' odds of 15-1 reflect the "boom or bust" nature of his profile. If his last race was a true indication of his ability on dirt, he could surprise many.
The racing world will have to wait for another day to see Creole Chrome, as trainer Joe Sharp has officially scratched the horse to pursue an easier spot at Fair Grounds. This scratch slightly changes the Gotham Stakes betting landscape, as it removes one of the primary speed elements from the race. With Creole Chrome out of the lineup, the pressure on the remaining front-runners might ease, potentially favoring a horse like Iron Honor, who can sit just behind the lead.
Peter Miller brings Dirty Rich from the Midwest to see if he can handle the New York milers. Most recently seen finishing mid-pack in an Oaklawn Park stakes, this horse has displayed enough speed to be dangerous. Ramon Vazquez flies in to take the mount, signaling intent from the Miller camp. Dirty Rich needs to prove he can sustain his run beyond six furlongs, but his pedigree offers hope. At 10-1 Gotham Stakes odds, he is a fascinating "wild card" who could potentially upset the apple cart if the New York horses have an off day.
When you bet on Gotham Stakes, the key is to look for "overlays" (horses whose actual odds are higher than their fair-market value). We recommend a "Win" bet on Iron Honor if he stays at 6-5 or higher, but the real money is in the Exactas. Pairing Iron Honor with a gritty runner like Balboa or a closer like Right to Party could yield a profitable return. Furthermore, always check for late money pouring into the Gotham Stakes betting pools, as "smart money" in New York often moves in the final three minutes before post time.
The 2026 Gotham Stakes is shaping up to be a legendary clash of speed and stamina that will define the early Derby favorites. With 50 points on the line and a field packed with potential superstars like Iron Honor and Balboa, there has never been a better time to get in on the action. Whether you are backing the favorite or hunting for a longshot payout, the excitement at Aqueduct is guaranteed to be electric. Don't leave your fortune to chance. Stay tuned to US Racing, secure the best odds, and place your bets to witness horse racing history in the making.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
