Expert prediction
Gotham Stakes Picks, Odds & Preview (Feb 28)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
Business on the Road to the Kentucky Derby picks up this weekend, with three notable preps taking place across North America. Huge attention will be on the G3 Gotham Stakes, which features a talented field of eight runners. Find the odds and our Gotham Stakes picks here.
Gotham Stakes: How to Watch
- When: Saturday, February 28, 2026 @ 5:18 PM ET
- Where: Aqueduct, New York
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV
Gotham Stakes Odds
| Horse | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Iron Honor | -110 |
| Balboa | +350 |
| Hammond | +650 |
| Crown The Buckeye | +800 |
| Right To Party | +1400 |
| Dirty Rich | +1600 |
| Exhibition Only | +2000 |
| Fourth And One | +2500 |
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 Mile |
| Purse | $300,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | Claude McGaughey/Kiaran McLaughlin (3) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Jorge Velasquez/Angel Cordero/Jacinto Vasquez/Mike Smith/Jose Lezcano (3) |
| Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points | 50-25-15-10-5 |
ALSO SEE: DuraMAX Grand Prix Picks, Odds & Preview (Mar 1)
Gotham Stakes: Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Flood Zone | Reylu Gutierrez | Brad Cox |
| 2024 | Deterministic | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement |
| 2023 | Raise Cain | Jose Lezcano | Ben Colebrook |
| 2022 | Morello | Jose Lezcano | Steven Asmussen |
Race Preview
Notable prep action ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Derby is set for Aqueduct this weekend, with the G3 Gotham Stakes being run over a mile. The only winner of the race to land success at Churchill Downs was the legendary Secretariat in 1973.
Iron Honor will be a solid favorite for the Chad Brown yard this weekend, with the three-year-old having made a striking impression on debut. An Equibase speed figure of 88 was achieved at Aqueduct in December, and if at the same level, he holds very obvious claims.
Brittany Russell-trained Balboa will have the advantage of a recent run under his belt this season, but he was a disappointing second in the Jerome Stakes. He’s a likable sort, but his shortcomings in graded company have already been highlighted with defeats in the G2 Remsen and G1 American Pharoah.
Fourth And One is a similar profile to Balboa, finishing third in the Swale Stakes on return. Was a high-quality sprinter in Florida as a juvenile, landing Black Type at Gulfstream in November. Remains to be seen whether he will stay over a mile.
Kenneth McPeek’s Right To Party could be one of the overlooked contenders at the prices. The three-year-old was incredibly efficient at Aqueduct on his first start this year, and he could be open to improving on the Equibase rating of 79 recorded on that day.
Gotham Stakes Picks
I’d be incredibly surprised if we see a Derby hope this weekend, as this looks like a weak renewal of the Gotham. Iron Honor clearly makes the most appeal against rivals that have already failed to make the grade at higher levels.
Free Pick:
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