BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Wathnan Racing’s Flood Zone makes his first start on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Saturday when the Florida-bred colt goes in the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct. The $300,000 Gotham will feature 10 sophomores going a mile in pursuit of 105 qualifying points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard allocated to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 schedule.
Flood Zone makes his first start for trainer Brad Cox and his second start of the year after winning a maiden special weight for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 4. The bay son of Frosted pressed the pace throughout the six-and-a-half-furlong contest before drawing off to win by five-and-a-half lengths, producing a notable 85 Beyer Speed Figure.
That was his second career start after one race last year when floated seven-wide coming out of the turn against similar company and finishing second to Mati Gol going six furlongs on Dec. 7.
Out of Curls for Girls, by Curlin, Flood Zone was bred in Florida by Al Figliolia Westburystables LLC and has won $38,800 in his two starts.
He is a three-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company but did not meet his reserve as a short yearling in the 2023 Winter Mixed Sale nor at last year’s March Sale. VEB Racing Stable took him for $45,000 out of the Paul Sharp consignment at last year’s OBS June Sale.
(Flood Zone’s March Under Tack Video / March Walking Video / June Under Tack Video)
Reylu Gutierrez has been aboard for his two previous races and gets the return mount Saturday. They will depart post seven.
Flood Zone is set to meet two undefeated New York-bred stakes winners in Sand Devil and Sacrosanct.
Sand Devil won the $121,000 Damon Runyon by a nose going seven furlongs at Aqueduct on Feb. 8—producing a 93 Beyer number. That was the chestnut colt’s third win in as many starts after he dominated a first level, $80,000 optional claiming on Jan. 2 at Aqueduct, winning by 12 ½ lengths against state-breds going a mile. He broke his maiden by four lengths against New York-bred special weight maidens in December.
Sand Devil has earned $151,800 for owner Chester Broman Sr. and is trained by Linda Rice.
The son of Violence will be ridden by Jose Lezcano from post five.
Sacrosanct also makes his first start in open company after winning all four of his previous starts against fellow New York-breds. After winning on debut at Saratoga in August, the son of Honest Mischief won the $125,000 Bertram F. Bongard by 12 lengths going seven furlongs in September and the $200,000 Sleepy Hollow by a length-and-a-half at a mile in October, both during the Belmont at Big A meet. He enters after winning by a head in the $500,000 New York Stallion Stakes going seven furlongs at Aqueduct on Dec. 14.
Trained by Brad Cox for Lady Sheila Stable, Net Birdie LLC and Schwing Thoroughbreds, Sacrosanct has earned $503,250.
Manuel Franco will ride from post four.
Rounding out the field are Scorching and jockey Eric Cancel, Normandy Coast with Ben Curtis aboard, Kendrick Carmouche will ride Calling Card, Pagode will have Luan Machado in the saddle, McAfee has Lane Luzzi taking the call and My Mitole will have Luis Rivera Jr. up.
Return to the February 26 issue of Wire to Wire
