2011 Gotham (G3) – Stay Thirsty
Stay Thirsty outran six other 3-year-olds and the shadow of Eclipse winner and stablemate Uncle Mo Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, charging through the stretch to win the 59th running of the Grade 3, 0000 Gotham, New York’s first major prep for the Kentucky Derby. Making his 2011 debut for owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher, the pair behind early Derby favorite Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty broke a step slowly and was three-wide on the first turn under jockey Ramon Dominguez as The Fed Eased led through an opening quarter in 24.79 and then a half-mile in 49.18. Ranging up on the outside turning for home, Stay Thirsty, who was the 4-5 favorite, kicked into high gear in the stretch and squeezed by Norman Asbjornson to take command with 200 yards to go, hitting the wire in 1:44.78 for the 1 1/16 miles. Finishing 3 ¼ lengths back in second was 47-1 shot Norman Asbjornson, whose jockey, Julian Pimentel, lodged an unsuccessful objection against the favorite. He was followed under the wire by Toby’s Corner, Nacho Saint, The Fed Eased, Isn’t He Perfect, and Starship Caesar. Dawly and Preachintothedevil were scratched. www.nyra.com
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