Ozone Park, NY
Shagaf remains unbeaten after prevailing in the Gotham Stakes Saturday evening at Aqueduct racetrack.
The three-year-old colt overcame a visually speed bias inner track to take the Grade III Stakes by a measured 1 1/4 length victory.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. sat a reserved fourth throughout the early portion of the race, in a move that trainer Chad Brown said he wanted in order to educate his horse, before swinging out down the stretch and taking over the lead from pacesetter Laoban.
Shagaf went off as the race favorite and returned $4.50 to win. He ran the 1 1/16 mile race in a not so quick final time of 1:45, but completed a solid victory while even learning a few on-track lessons.
Second place finisher Laoban was visually impressive in his runner-up finish. Setting fractions of :23 and 1:11 while still showing great stamina down the stretch. The three-year-old should like running a route of ground with Uncle Mo in the family tree. Although still a maiden his connections believe in him and is someone to take note of moving forward.
Adventist rounded out the trifecta finishing another 3/4 length back in third.
Gotham Stakes winner Shagaf is expected to stay in New York and race next in the Wood Memorial set for April.