Trainers Discuss Options For Top Three Gotham Finishers

Trainers reported March 10 that the top three finishers of Aqueduct Racetrack's Gotham Stakes (G3) are doing well, and planning has begun for the next steps on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Speaking from his winter base at Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida, conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin reported Shadwell Stable's newly minted graded stakes winner Haikal exited Saturday's race in good order. 

"He looks great," McLaughlin said. "He appears to have come out of the race well, and I have to say that (assistant) Joe Lee and our team in New York have done a great job with him."

Picking up 50 qualifying points toward a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Haikal is tied for third on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Tacitus.

McLaughlin said he will point Haikal toward the April 6 Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2), which offers 100-40-20-10 Derby qualifying points, for his next start. The nine-furlong Wood will have an increased purse of $1 million if a grade/group 1 winner is declared an official starter.

"He's won at six (furlongs), he's won at seven, and now he's won at eight, so we're going to give him a shot at nine," McLaughlin said. "I'll definitely be in town for that race."

A half brother to grade 1 winner Takaful, who also started his 3-year-old campaign on the Derby trail before ultimately excelling as a sprinter, Haikal has wheeled off three consecutive victories. In addition to a Dec. 15 maiden win, the son of Daaher  captured his first stakes Feb. 9 at the Big A, winning the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes ahead of his Gotham coup.

"On paper, it looked like he would benefit from a lot of pace in the race," McLaughlin said. "I'm just happy when they opened the gate, that stayed true to form. They really went fast up front, going a half in :44 and change. That really benefited us, and Rajiv gave him the perfect ride."

Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' grade 1 winner and Gotham runner-up Mind Control, trained by Gregory Sacco, will also be aimed at the Wood Memorial.

Mind Control (30 points) is tied with Game Winner in the Kentucky Derby standings.

"Moving forward, going two turns in the Wood is the next logical spot," Sacco said. "He has the tactical speed to be forwardly placed, and we know he doesn't need the lead. I think he'll be able to settle, and if it's a paceless race, he can make it. What we learned yesterday is a real big plus for Mind Control. 

"We were really proud of him. He ran a dynamite race, and Kiaran's horse ran an exceptional race. It was a fun race to watch, and we're really happy with how he ran. The horse showed a new dimension yesterday. We had trained him in the morning behind horses, let him take dirt, and then finish up. Yesterday, he really passed a test doing that. It was a hot pace. We took a lot of dirt."

Mind Control was in good order Sunday morning following his effort in the Gotham.

"He came out of the race great. He ate up everything and walked good. We're really happy with how he bounced out of the race," the trainer said.

OXO Equine's Instagrand made a creditable return to the track with a third-place effort in the Gotham, picking up 10 Kentucky Derby points.

Trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, Instagrand stretched out to a mile for the first time, chasing the hot pace set by Much Better and staying on to complete the trifecta.

"It was a very good effort off the long layoff. We're very pleased," Hollendorfer said. "It showed a different dimension, and that makes it all the much better."

Hollendorfer said Instagrand came out of the race in good order.

"He was fine this morning. His legs were cold, and he jogged down the road good," the trainer said.

Instagrand will head back to California while Hollendorfer considers his next stop on the Kentucky Derby trail.

"We're nominated all over the country, so we'll figure it out," Hollendorfer said.