Like Now doing well on day after Gotham

Like Now doing well on day after Gotham

John Dillon's LIKE NOW (Jules), the 36-1 upsetter in Saturday's Gotham S.

(G3) at Aqueduct, walked the shedrow Sunday morning and is reported to be

doing well after his neck win in  the 1 1/16-mile contest.

"He's bright, happy and we're all excited," trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

"It was a great result. He had the rail and a track that's good to speed, but he

did everything right first time going long. He's really improved the last few

weeks. From December working here, he's improving all the time. It's a lot of

fun."

McLaughlin, who just missed in the Kentucky Derby (G1) last year with

runner-up Closing

Argument, has indicated that Like Now will be pointed toward the $750,000 Wood

Memorial (G1) on April 8.

Runner-up KEYED ENTRY (Honour and Glory) is also reported to be in good

condition after his two-turn debut and is also likely being pointed toward the

Wood.

"He's perfect," Seth Benzel, Todd Pletcher's New York assistant,

said. "He got

a lot accomplished in the race. He didn't come away with a win, but that's fine

at this point. He's going onto bigger and better things anyway. He'll really

benefit from (his run in the Gotham). Having that kind of a layoff and now he'll be able to go into the

Wood with three weeks' rest. It works out really well that way."

Trainer Michael Trombetta is uncertain whether SWEETNORTHERNSAINT (Sweetsouthernsaint)

will return for the Wood.

"That was the first time he really had to lay his body down and fight, and I

was impressed with his race," Trombetta said. "I thought he took the worst of it with

his post, but he was very game. We've got some options now."

George Weaver, trainer of Gotham fourth-placer GREELEY'S LEGACY (Mr. Greeley),

is considering taking his charge to the April 8 contest.

"We wanted to see how he stacked up against that kind of competition," Weaver

said. "Now that he's shown he belongs, he'll train harder. I think he is a

Kentucky Derby horse, and while there may be an outside chance that he will run

in the Blue Grass S. (G1) (at Keeneland on April 15), I would say the Wood

Memorial is definitely on his schedule. He likes New York and he likes

Aqueduct."

Gotham fifth-placer ACHILLES OF TROY (Notebook), who was

vanned off the track after the race, walked the shedrow

Sunday morning. X-rays were taken of his right front leg, and an ultrasound

is scheduled for Monday.