Preview: Free for all in Gotham

The stakes previews continue with a look at the grade III Gotham at a mile and a sixteenth at Aqueduct tomorrow. We've got a number of minor stakeswinners trying to step up to the next level and a bunch of allowance and maiden winners with potential trying to jump into the fray. Basically, a well-matched, highly competitive race with all in desperate need of some graded earnings. I love Derby time.

1. Naos (Lion Heart-Miss Moonwaki, by Miswaki): Mike Luzzi has the mount on this Todd Pletcher trainee, who wired the field in an allowance at Philly Park Feb. 15.
2. Russell Road (Wheaton-Roberta Grump, by Verification): Has won three straight ungraded sprint stakes a bit further south of here (Maryland, West Virginia, etc).
3. Masala (Lion Heart-Countess Marq, by Marquetry): Broke his maiden in the slop at Aqueduct last fall (there’s a chance of rain Saturday), then ran second in an allowance to Take The Points, who was second in the Sham last out.
4. Axel Foley (Officer-Morganza, by Clever Trick): Richard Migliore rides for Kiaran McLaughlin. Makes his first start on conventional dirt after a poor showing in the El Camino Real, where he led into the stretch before fading.
5. Mr. Fantasy (E Dubai-Twice Forbidden, by Spectacular Bid): Alan Garcia has the mount on the half brother to New York favorite Tin Cup Chalice. Has won both of his starts by daylight for McLaughlin, but hasn’t faced anything beyond allowance level.
6. Haynesfield (Speightstown-Nothing Special, by Tejabo): The leader of the New York contingent this year has won four straight, including the Damon Runyon, Count Fleet and Whirlaway. C.C. Lopez will be up on the Steve Asmussen trainee as he gets a class test.
7. Imperial Council (Empire Maker-Jaramar Rain, by Thunder Gulch): Regally bred son of Empire Maker, out of a Thunder Gulch mare, seeks to step up a level as well. Broke his maiden at second asking, but then Shug McGaughey gave him four months off; came back to edge clear late in an allowance sprint. Rajiv Maragh has the ride, as regular rider Edgar Prado opted to ride in the Big ‘Cap instead.
8. I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even- Meguial, by Roy): Ships in from California and Joe Talamo came all that way to keep the mount. A change of scenery might be for the best, as he’s dropped two close ones to Pioneerof The Nile. Shows some versatility, as he rallied from off the pace for second in the Futurity but closed for the place spot in the Sham; this is his first try on natural dirt.
9. Giant Ryan (Freud- Kheyrah, by Dayjur): Won the first two starts, a maiden special weight and allowance, but dropped his first stakes try, finishing fifth in the ungraded Jimmy Winkfield.

Railbird's pick: It's all about development. Haynesfield is an honest sort who has matured faster than some of these guys, and I feel he'll maintain his edge Saturday. If anyone makes him work for it, it will be Mr. Fantasy, who is improving in leaps and bounds. Imperial Council strikes me as a late bloomer, but could rally for a piece, as could I Want Revenge if he handles the new surface. Pletcher has pulled bigger upsets than this before, so don't discount Masala if the track is a mess tomorrow; he's been running against decent competition, too.