Gotham

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

GALLOPING GROCER (A. P Jet) will be looking to get back on the road to the

Kentucky Derby (G1) in Saturday's Gotham S. (G3) at Aqueduct, but our top choice is

SURVIVALIST (Danzig), who ships in from the warmth of Florida.

Survivalist, who is out of a full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Seeking the

Gold, comes off a nice second-place effort to the well-regarded Sun King

(Charismatic) in a one-turn, one-mile allowance race at Gulfstream Park. The

dark bay colt stalked the early pace while running in the middle of the track

down the backstretch, dropped in to save ground around the turn, then finishing

willingly, earning a 100 BRIS Speed rating. Three weeks before that, in his

seasonal debut, Survivalist broke slowly, advanced from between rivals around

the turn, was bumped soundly in midstretch, then closed well for third, beaten

just 1 3/4 lengths in a seven-furlong allowance test on the Holy Bull S. (G3) undercard.

The Shug McGaughey-trained colt will make his second start with Lasix and is

tactically drawn near the outside. We like the three-week spacing between his

starts, with the Wood Memorial (G1) three weeks hence. Most importantly, we

really like horses shipping north in the spring, and this horse would be a

primary contender for the Wood with a strong one-two finish. Survivalist, who is

making his stakes debut, figures to be primed for a big effort.

Galloping Grocer is a fast and talented runner, but has several issues to

overcome. The chestnut battled gamely all the way around the racetrack with

Rockport Harbor (Unbridled's Song) in the nine-furlong Remsen S. (G2) over this

surface last fall. He then finished a close fourth as the odds-on favorite in the 1

1/16-mile Whirlaway S. around two turns on the inner track in his sophomore

debut. Shortly thereafter, he was discovered to have a foot bruise and missed a

scheduled start in the March 5 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Galloping Grocer is drawn near the inside with speed on either side and could

be forced into another early pace battle on the turn back in distance. He shows

just two published workouts since the Whirlaway, and his

trainer, Dominick Schettino, had a tough winter, winning one of 46 starts. At

7-5 on the morning line, one must demand value.

If any horse has the right name to win the Gotham, it's NAUGHTY NEW YORKER

(Quiet American). The Pat Kelly trainee is a solid closer who came from last and

just missed in the Whirlaway. Prior to that, the bay made a big run on the

outside around the far turn before settling for runner-up honors in the two-turn

Count Fleet S. Naughty New York is game, and probably the one to beat for all

the marbles.

The Jennifer Pedersen-trained PAVO (Marquetry) turns back in distance after

finishing a decent second in the 1 1/16-mile John Battaglia Memorial S. at

Turfway Park. The chestnut is doing well and has the best draw of all on the far

outside. Pavo is a natural stalker and could earn a share at playable odds. The

up-and-coming BYANOSEJOE (Cherokee Run) settled in last, then came flying late

to win a six-furlong race going away by 2 1/2 lengths over the inner track in

his latest. The Richard Dutrow trainee appears to headed in the right direction

and could factor with continued improvement.

The speedy MADDY'S LION (Lion Hearted) has won back-to-back six-furlong

races, including the Jimmy Winkfield S. last out. He figures to be in the mix

early, but he would have to improve sharply to factor for a trip to the winner's

circle. DISTINCTIVE TRICK (Distinctive Pro) has excellent early speed and will

probably have to get sent from the rail post. He figures to add to the early

tempo. MR. CONGENIALITY (Chester House) turns back off the turf and has some

longshot possibilities. Like Survivalist, he ships in from Florida. LIEUTENANT

DANZ (Gold Fever) could add to the early fractions but appears overmatched.