The Streaks Are Almost Freakish in the Gotham

Five winning streaks of varying lengths will be on the line when the $200,000 Gotham is run today at Aqueduct.

Like Now, Putonyerdancinshuz, Achilles Of Troy, Keyed Entry and Sweetnorthernsaint all have won at least two consecutive races entering the Grade III at 1 1/16 miles. The Gotham serves as a prep for next month’s Wood Memorial.

Two of the 3-year-olds in the Gotham are unbeaten. Keyed Entry has won all three of his starts for trainer Todd Pletcher, including a record-setting victory over First Samurai in the Hutcheson in his graded stakes debut Feb. 4 at Gulfstream Park.

A Pennsylvania-bred owned by breeder Ellendale Racing and trained by Ramon Preciado, Putonyerdancinshuz is stepping way up in class after three wins at Philadelphia Park. He is two for two around two turns; Keyed Entry has yet to run beyond 7 1/2 furlongs.

The rest of the field includes Hesanoldsalt, who has won two of five for Live Oak Plantation and trainer Nick Zito; Church Service, whose only win for trainer Lisa Lewis came on the turf last Sept. 3; Eagle Head, Sunshine Alpine, Greeley’s Legacy and One Way Flight.

The other two significant 3-year-old races are the $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., and the $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.

Race of the day: Iron Halo, who is two for two over the track, is one of many contenders in the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup today at Turf Paradise. Scott Stevens, the older brother of Gary Stevens, will ride the 7-year-old Halo Sunshine horse for Mitchell Ranch LLC and trainer Eric Kruljac in the six-furlong Gold Cup that lured 13 others.

One for the road: Splendid Blended can improve in her second outing after a lengthy layoff and second for trainer Bill Mott and she should be a legit price in the $200,000 Shirley Jones Breeders’ Cup Handicap today at Gulfstream Park. A Grade II at seven furlongs, the Shirley Jones is the final race in the weekly Magna 5.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Freakin Streakin in the fifth, Vote, Souvenir Zone and Solid Gold Bar in the sixth and At Dawn, Triumphal Entry and Make Mine Vodka in the seventh.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 5/176. Money: (previous day/meet total): $23.40/$1,052. Total money bet: $1,016.