NEW YORK (AP) -Visionaire edged Texas Wildcatter by a nose Saturday in the $250,000 Gotham Stakes for 3-year-olds at foggy and sloppy Aqueduct.
The fog obliterated the view from the grandstand until the horses hit the stretch, where Visionaire got up in the final strides for his third win in five starts.
Even winning jockey Jose Lezcano was uncertain of his position at some points.
``I guess I was in mid-pack down the backstretch,'' Lezcano said. ``My plan was just to make one move and come with a strong finish. I felt I had a lot of horse coming off the turn. I think he showed how good a horse he was today. He handled everything.''
Trained by Michael Matz for owners Team Valor International and Vision Racing, Visionaire ran 1 1-16 miles in 1:44.60 and paid $11, $5.60 and $3.80.
The Gotham is the prep leading to Aqueduct's major race before the Triple Crown, the $750,000 Wood Memorial on April 5.
Barry Irwin, president of Team Valor, recalled that their Captain Bodgett won 1997 Wood under similar sloppy conditions.
``Maybe this one can, too, but we'll take it one race at a time,'' Irwin said.
Texas Wildcatter turned in a game effort while wearing blinkers for the first time and returned $5.70 and $3.50.
Larrys Revenge, a distant third behind the top two, paid $10.80 to show.
Saratoga Russell, the 8-5 favorite, set the pace before tiring to finish eighth, one spot better than Giant Moon who had won all four prior races.
In the $106,200 Toboggan Handicap, Sir Greeley, the 2-1 favorite, beat Man of Danger of three-quarters of a length. Eibar Coa was aboard for trainer Jimmy Jerkens as the 6-year-old gelding ran six furlongs in 1:10.22 and paid $6 to win.
