Glider Headed to Gotham

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said D. J. Stable's Glider  will make his next start March 5 in the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack. The Gotham is a one-turn mile for sophomores offering 50-20-10-5 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers.

Glider, a son of Quality Road  , graduated at second asking in a one mile and 70 yard off-the-turf maiden special weight Jan. 6 at Gulfstream Park and followed with a runner-up effort to the well-regarded Todd Pletcher-trainee Emmanuel  in a one mile and 40 yard allowance optional claimer Jan. 30 at Tampa Bay Downs.

"I thought his last race was pretty good on dirt. I think the mile should suit him nice," Casse said. "I'm still trying to figure out exactly what he wants. His last race was pretty good. There wasn't much pace in the race and I think Todd thinks a lot of his horse. We thought the Gotham would be a good spot."

Glider has been working steadily at Palm Meadows Training Center, including a five-eighths breeze in 1:00.30 on Feb. 19.

"He's trained better coming out of the race than he went into it," Casse said.

Antonio Gallardo will retain the mount aboard Glider.

Rustlewood Farm's homebred Pappacap  is in good order following his off-the-board effort in last Saturday's  Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Casse said the Gun Runner   colt, who is currently in fourth place (14 points) in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) points standings, will now target the April 2 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

"I'm still baffled by his poor performance. He's never done that before. He's going to come to Ocala to the training center and see how things go. We're looking at possibly coming back in the Florida Derby," Casse said. "If he had ran and got beat two or three lengths, you'd say maybe he just wasn't good enough but he just didn't show up at all. Tyler (Gaffalione) had him in a great spot and when he asked him to go, he never went."

Casse sent out a trio of Derby hopefuls in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) Feb. 12 at Tampa, including Volcanic  (third), Golden Glider  (fifth), and God of Love  (sixth).

Casse said Breeze Easy's Volcanic will point to either the April 9 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland or the $750,000 Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) on the same day at the Big A. Both races offer 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers.

"Volcanic ran a great race. He had a wide trip on both turns in his first time going two turns," Casse said. "Right now, I'm looking at the Blue Grass for him or possibly the Wood Memorial. We're looking at both spots.

"I'll come back in the (Lambholm South) Tampa Bay Derby (G2, March 12) with Golden Glider—he ran well and got bothered a little bit late by Volcanic," Casse added. "God of Love will run in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3, April 2) at Turfway Park."