What are the Gotham Stakes?
The Gotham Stakes is a prominent Grade 3 horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. It is a prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, covering a distance of one mile (8 furlongs) on dirt for 3-year-old thoroughbreds. The event typically occurs in early March.
When do the Gotham Stakes take place in 2025?
The 2024 Gotham Stakes is scheduled to take place on March 1st. This race is eagerly anticipated by horse racing fans and bettors, as it plays a crucial role in determining contenders for the Kentucky Derby.
Gotham Stakes Winners
The Gotham Stakes has seen numerous iconic winners over the decades, many of whom went on to achieve further success in major races. One of the most famous winners is Secretariat in 1973, who clocked an impressive time of 1:33.40.
Other notable winners include Easy Goer (1989), known for his rivalry with Sunday Silence, and Dr. Fager (1967), regarded as one of the fastest horses of his era. More recent champions include Deterministic in 2024 and Raise Cain in 2023.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2024 | Deterministic | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven C. Duncker & Vicarage Stable | 1:38.09 |
| 2023 | Raise Cain | Jose Lezcano | Ben Colebrook | Andrew Warren & Rania Warren | 1:38.09 |
| 2022 | Jose Lezcano | Steven M. Asmussen | Ricky Courville | Blue Lion Thoroughbreds | 1:39.28 |
| 2021 | Weyburn | Trevor McCarthy | Jimmy Jerkens | Chiefswood Stables Limited | 1:38.70 |
| 2020 | Mischevious Alex | Kendrick Carmouche | John Servis | Cash Is King LLC & LC Racing LLC | 1:38.80 |
| 2019 | Haikal | Rajiv Maragh | Kiaran McLaughlin | Shadwell Racing | 1:35.63 |
| 2018 | Enticed | Junior Alvarado | Kiaran McLaughlin | Godolphin Racing, LLC | 1:38.24 |
| 2017 | J Boys Echo | Robby Albarado | Dale L. Romans | Albaugh Family Stables LLC | 1:46.34 |
The Gotham Stakes is a key prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering valuable points toward qualifying for the prestigious event. With a competitive field of 3-year-old thoroughbreds, it draws significant attention from trainers, owners, and bettors. Its mile-long distance serves as a good test for young horses transitioning to longer races later in the season.
