Three Rules carved out solid fractions in the FOY and was chased by Holy Bull winner Irish War Cry, Takaful, and Made You Look, and the latter trio retreated to the back of the pack.
Meanwhile, Gunnevera and Javier Castellano were enjoying the scenery from 10th and last before unleashing a strong late run to cross the line 5+ lengths in front.
Practical Joke rallied from 7th and fought hard to edge a very game Three Rules for the place. It was another six lengths back to Talk Logistics in 4th.
The Gotham was supposed to be a walk in the park for El Areeb but his rider Trevor McCarthy made an early decision to go the front and there was no turning back. He was hounded throughout by True Timber, and eventual winner J Boys Echo took full advantage of the lively fractions and rolled home by 3.5 lengths (102 BSF).
Stalker Cloud Computing was clearly second best in the Gotham and El Areeb held the show in a disappointing performance that can be partly attributed to riding tactics.
Before anyone gets too excited about the Gotham, check out the 0-for-40 Kentucky Derby record for Gotham participants since 1980.
Two big Derby preps on tap this week beginning with the much anticipated return of Mastery in the San Felipe. He has been my top ranked Derby contender for many months and looks ready to roll off the bench for Bob Baffert.
2-time graded route winner Gormley and impressive G2 San Vicente hero Iliad figure to make Mastery work hard for the money.
The Tampa Bay Derby is a wide open affair and trainer Todd Pletcher has a pair of contenders including Sam F. Davis runner-up Tapwrit.
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 3-11-17)
#1 - MASTERY
#2 - Gormley
#3 - Three Rules
#4 - McCraken
#5 - Practical Joke
#6 - Gunnevera
#7 - Royal Mo
#8 - Irish War Cry
#9 - El Areeb
#10 - Battalion Runner
#11 - Classic Empire
You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.
* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards
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