Shagaf Could Strengthen Shadwell's Hand

Shadwell Stable is already looking well-armed for the GI Kentucky Derby after Mohaymen (Tapit)'s easy win in last week's GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S., but Sheikh Hamdan's operation could be sitting even prettier if 'TDN Rising Star' Shagaf (Bernardini) can take another step forward in Saturday's GIII Gotham S. at the Big A. A six-length winner over a next-out graduate going a mile on the local main track Nov. 22, the homebred was hyped as the real deal leading up to his Jan. 29 return to the races at Gulfstream, and came through with a two-length victory after a wide, stalking trip. “He flew up yesterday and he has been adjusting well since he's arrived,” trainer Chad Brown told NYRA's press office Wednesday. “He has good positional speed and I'm sure [jockey] Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] will place him where he needs to be during the race.”

Rally Cry (Uncle Mo) looks to give leading conditioner Todd Pletcher his first Gotham win since Stay Thirsty (Bernardini) in 2011, and had a very tough trip when third to Shagaf last time. He was forced to slam on the brakes when attempting to sneak up the rail, but re-rallied to complete the trifecta. The Paul Pompa, Jr. colorbearer broke his maiden in his previous start when stretched to a mile in Hallandale Dec. 26.

“We are looking forward to stretching him out around two turns,” Pletcher said. “He has run well in all three starts. He has yet to run as impressively as he trains in the morning, and we are hoping that two turns will showcase his talent.”

Pletcher's other entrant Mo Power (Uncle Mo) is expected to scratch in favor of an optional claimer Sunday.

Sunny Ridge (Holy Bull) must tote seven pounds more than his rivals due to a victory last time in the track-and-trip GIII Withers S. Last year's GI Champagne S. and GIII Delta Jackpot runner-up is currently expected to bypass the Kentucky Derby with an eye on the GI Haskell Invitational S. over the summer. “The game plan right now is skip the Derby, run in the [GI] Preakness and [GI] Belmont, give him a break, and then run in the Haskell,” said owner/breeder Dennis Drazin, who has close ties to Monmouth Park, of the New Jersey-bred. “Everyone wants to know what's next, but first he's got to run on Saturday.”

Adventist (Any Given Saturday), an 11 1/4-length debut winner sprinting over this surface Dec. 19, was only 1 3/4 lengths behind Sunny Ridge after showing his lack of experience in the Withers. He signaled his readiness for this with a five-panel bullet in 1:01.20 (1/34) over the Belmont training track Sunday.

Laoban (Uncle Mo), who is still a maiden, was withdrawn from both Santa Anita's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Feb. 6 and the GII Risen Star S. at Fair Grounds two weeks later since his last start. He was last seen finishing third with a troubled trip in the GIII Sham S. in Arcadia Jan. 9. “He was slammed out of the gate, the saddle slipped up on his withers, he ran six wide in the first turn and then almost clipped heels,” trainer Eric Guillot, who has a history of pulling off upsets on this circuit, said of the Sham.