Aqueduct Picks: Gotham Stakes Kentucky Derby Prep (02/28/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Fri Feb 27, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

Aqueduct Racing Continues: NYRA Friday Analysis, Selections cover

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The racing action from Aqueduct on Saturday features the Gotham Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Aqueduct picks for the entire card!

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Aqueduct Full Card Analysis

Aqueduct Picks: Gotham Stakes Kentucky Derby Prep (02/28/2026)

Aqueduct Picks: Gotham Stakes Kentucky Derby Prep (02/28/2026)

Aqueduct Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:40 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $75k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #5 BOUNTY BANKER (2-1): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Should be able to work out a trip.
  • #7 BARGAIN PURCHASE (5-1): Major Player. Well bred for this race. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #1 CENTRAL SPIRIT (12-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
  • #8 LORD KING (15-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 1 – 8

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-2

Exacta: 5/ 7,1

Pick 3 (race 1-3):  #5,7 with #5 with #1,3,7,8

Aqueduct Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:13 PM ET; Busher Stakes $200k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #5 INTERSTATELOVESONG (8-5): Best bet of the card. Stamina to outlast the competition. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #1 NYCON (3-1): Fringe Contender. Running well of late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #3 PARADISE (7-5): Fringe Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Top connections on the circuit with Franco and Cox.
  • #4 BLAZING BRAT (10-1): Underneath. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 3 – 4

The Plays

Win: #5 at 1-1

Exacta: 5/ 1,3

Aqueduct Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:43 PM ET; Allowance $77k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #1 QUEENS OVER THREES (4-1): Top pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Top connections on the circuit with Alpander and Sacco.
  • #3 I'M KIDDING (9-2): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Speed figures match this group well.
  • #7 HOWLING WIND (3-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Could wear these ones down late.
  • #8 CAROL T (12-1): Major Player. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 7 – 8

The Plays

Win: #1 at 9-2

Exacta Box: 1,3,7

Aqueduct Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:13 PM ET; Tom Fool Stakes $175k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

  • #5 FULL MOON MADNESS (4-1): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
  • #2 ONE NINE HUNDRED (4-5): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
  • #1 BRESLAU (10-1): Major Player. May be able find the right setup. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #3 BOLD JOURNEY (9-2): Major Player. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Cancel and Mott team up on this one.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 1 – 3

The Plays

Win: #5 at 9-2

Exacta Box: 5,2,1

Aqueduct Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:43 PM ET; Claiming $28k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

  • #4 HOURS IN A DAY (2-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Races competitive with the top contenders.
  • #9 SKYLANDER (3-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Likely to get forward position.
  • #10 J J'S RANGER (8-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #2 KNOX (9-2): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 4 – 9 – 10 – 2

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 4,9,10

Aqueduct Picks – Race 6

Longshot Play of the Day

Longshot Play of the Day

Post Time: 3:14 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $75k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

  • #12 SUGARTOWN SWEETIE (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Barn has been solid. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #3 CREDIT RISK (20-1): Major Player. Running well of late.
  • #5 ATIRA (8-1): Major Player. Pedigree fits in this spot. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #10 KAZ FARM GIRL (10-1): Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 12 – 3 – 5 – 10

The Plays

Win: #12 at 4-1

Exacta: 12/ 3,5,10

Aqueduct Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:44 PM ET; Allowance $77k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #2 FIREBALLIN (4-1): Top pick. Looks good based on the 86 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Fits well with this group.
  • #9 SIR KARTRITE (7-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #5 CALLING CARD (2-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
  • #1 LIBERTY RISING (6-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 2 – 9 – 5 – 1

The Plays

Win: #2 at 9-2

Exacta Box: 2,9,5

Aqueduct Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:15 PM ET; Stymie Stakes $150k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

  • #3 PHILEAS FOGG (9-5): Top pick. Looks good based on the 107 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #2 FULL SCREEN (8-5): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #4 YO DADDY (5-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
  • #6 KOMOREBINO OMOIDE (7-2): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 4 – 6

The Plays

Win: #3 at 2-1

Exacta: 3/ 2,4

Aqueduct Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:45 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $86k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

  • #4 DONEGAL SURGES (5-2): Top pick. Decent form of late. Race may setup for this runner.
  • #3 DREAMLIKE (4-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #8 BRAMITO (8-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #12 BIG BLUE LINE (20-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 8 – 12

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 4,3,8

Aqueduct Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:18 PM ET; Gotham Stakes $300k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #6 IRON HONOR (6-5): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Top connections on the circuit with Franco and Brown.
  • #1 BALBOA (6-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
  • #9 DIRTY RICH (10-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #3 CROWN THE BUCKEYE (4-1): Major Player. Recent races are solid. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 9 – 3

The Plays

Win: #6 at 6-5

Exacta Box: 6,1,3

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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