Stay Thirsty wins the Big A's Gotham

NEW YORK (AP) - Stay Thirsty entered the Triple Crown picture with a 31/4-length victory over Norman Asbjornson on Saturday in the $250,000 Gotham Stakes for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.

With the victory, Stay Thirsty emerged from the imposing shadow of Uncle Mo, his undefeated stablemate and long-range favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Like Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty is owned by Michael Repole and trained by Todd Pletcher.

The Gotham was the first stakes win for Stay Thirsty, and his first start since finishing 141/2 lengths behind Uncle Mo in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last November at Churchill Downs.

"I couldn't be any happier for this horse, because I keep hearing about 'Mo's shadow' and 'stablemate' and this is one of the top six 3-year-olds in the country," Repole said. "Today is all about Stay Thirsty and I think he proved that when you get away from Boys At Tosconova and you get away from Uncle Mo, this is a pretty special horse."

Ramon Dominguez was aboard as Stay Thirsty improved to 2 for 5, overcoming a slow start and a claim of foul to post the dominant win. Stay Thirsty drifted in slightly in the lane and Julien Pimentel, aboard Norman Asbjornson, lodged an objection that was quickly dismissed by the stewards.

The time was 1:44.78 for the 1 1-16 miles.

The Gotham capped a three stakes day at the Big A for Pletcher and Dominguez. The also captured the $150,000 Tom Fool Handicap for Repole with Calibrachoa and the $65,000 Capossela Stakes with Sensational Slam, owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

The 4-5 favorite, Stay Thirsty paid $3.80, $3.30 and $2.10. Norman Asbjornson, 47-1, returned $18.60 and $5.80 in his first start outside Pennsylvania. Toby's Corner, winner of Aqueduct's Whirlaway Stakes last month, paid $2.30 to show.