An exciting rematch with Samraat and Uncle Sigh in the Gotham Stakes lived up to it’s billing and just like Rocky II, Samraat came away with a hard fought victory over Uncle Sigh and In Trouble.
In Trouble was ridden aggressively for the lead from the start and at the rail. The first quarter split was fast with 23 and 4, but he was allowed to slow it down with the half 48 and 2. Uncle Sigh was stalking and pressing In Trouble every step of the first half mile. Samraat engaged with a 3-wide move at the 4-furlong mark and waited until the turn to make his move to engage the leaders.
The stretch run from the turn to the wire was neck and neck with Uncle Sigh, Samraat and In Trouble all leading at some point. Samraat is gutty and gritty and wore down both Uncle Sigh and In Trouble late, similar to last race. Uncle Sigh ran game in defeat, but has now thrown down twice in last two races. Last time on the lead, this time chasing and been outfinished by Samraat. In Trouble was game, but was asked 3 times to try and extend the lead going into the turn and was denied by a game and in-shape Uncle Sigh.
In Trouble ran a game race, but he was pushed hard the entire way off the layoff. This is the worst kind of trip a horse can have, all out effort against, two in-game foes. Will he bounce back or regress in the next month. He ran less distance than the top two and had the rail. Most likely to regress in next race.
Samraaat has now went belly to belly twice and has enough points, it would make sense to train up to the derby. Not sure a rematch in the Wood proves anything other than he is better than Uncle Sigh. Early indications that he will run in the Wood with Uncle Sigh. Keep in mind that both horses have not had a break since they started racing in October and November, by the time the Derby comes that would be 7 straight months of training.
Uncle Sigh ran straight, had a great trip and has lost twice to Samraat, but is basically even with this horse. How you judge their chances moving forward is really how well you think they compare to the top horses in the crop.
Extrasexyhippster just like every other horse going up in class this year got trounced. Harpoon is a Grade 3 horse. Financial Mogul is a late-running sprinter.
Samraat is 5/5 and has shown a variety of running styles and showed today he can come off the pace, a fast horse who can rate and make a run is a tough commodity. Battle Tested with Uncle Sigh as well. Sammy has been the hunter the last two races. Pointing and then running down basically one horse – Uncle Sigh. He will not become the hunted!
The caveat with both Uncle Sigh and Samraat is they have faced 6 and 7 horse fields their entire career. They are classier than the horses they have been facing and raw talent has gotten them this far. What will they do with warmer weather and 20 horse field of Kentucky. The Wood will be a race with 11 horses and will feature a proven closer in Top Billing or a classy Honor Code. Maybe Tonalist or Mexicoma as well. Expect a full gate in the Wood.