Enticed to New York’s G3 Gotham as weather improves

Godolphin trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has been lured to Aqueduct for Saturday’s G3 Gotham Stakes after his Kentucky Derby aspirant Enticed drew the outside gate in the nine-runner field.

The alternative was to stay in Florida for the G2 Tampa Bay Derby the same day.

The colt drew gate 6 of 11 in that race. For most, a wide post position draw is seen as a big disadvantage, but not in Enticed’s case.

McLaughlin is quick to point out the Godolphin three-year-old’s inside draw in the G2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, in which he finished a distant fourth, had actually been the reason he was awkwardly placed around the first turn.

“He got bottled up on the inside, which he didn’t like,” McLaughlin pointed out.

“But I love his draw in the Gotham. It’s a flat mile at Aqueduct and there’s a long run out of the straight. I think it’s going to suit him from that wide draw,” he added.

Blizzards and snow had recently interrupted racing in New York, but there is now even a forecast of sunshine in the Big Apple on Saturday. Daytime temperatures are expected to thaw to 7C.

“There have been weather issues in New York, so Enticed was entered at both Aqueduct and Tampa Bay Downs,” the trainer explained.

“They are both similar races, but we go to New York. We love our post position, and Enticed also likes cooler weather, which he will get.

“He has worked well since the Holy Bull, but he needs to take us to the G1 Kentucky Derby now. We need him to run well this weekend,” he added.

Junior Alvarado, who is based in New York, is back in the saddle on Enticed.