Gold Square LLC's Slip Mahoney (Arrogate) tuned up for the Mar. 4 GIII Gotham S. with a four-furlong work in :48.87 (6/54) over the Belmont training track Saturday. The gray colt worked in company with unraced stablemate Global Image (Liam's Map).
“It wasn't as quick to watch it, but they moved pretty well,” said Dustin Dugas, trainer Brad Cox's Belmont-based assistant. “It was really good and he came out of it in great shape and we're all systems go. Trevor [McCarthy] was happy with him and he's going to ride him Saturday.”
Slip Mahoney will be making his fourth lifetime start and his stakes debut in the Gotham. He broke his maiden by a determined head at Aqueduct over the Gotham's one-mile distance last time out Jan. 21.
“He showed personal growth and mentally and physically, he's one that's still figuring things out,” Dugas said of his progression between starts. “He plays around a lot and still needs to mature, but right now, he's just doing it off of raw talent. He's getting there, and with each breeze, you can see him mature. He's not regressing and doing things proper.”
Cox is also expected to be represented in the Gotham by Ten Strike Racing's Eyeing Clover (Lookin At Lucky), who is unbeaten in two starts and is coming off a 9 3/4-length optional-claiming victory at Fair Grounds Jan. 28. The chestnut colt worked five furlongs at Fair Grounds in :59.80 (2/35) Saturday and is expected to ship into Belmont Park Tuesday.
The Gotham awards the top-five finishers 50-20-15-10-5 qualifying points to the GI Kentucky Derby.
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