SHAGAF joins Mohaymen in Shadwell Farm’s quest to win this year’s Kentucky Derby.

A homebred son of Bernardini improved his undefeated record to three-for-three with a workmanlike effort in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct last Saturday.

Overcoming a speed bias – eight out of 10 winners on the card went wire-to-wire (and the other stalked the pace) – Shagaf rallied from fourth to reel in longshot Laoban in the waning strides.

Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr, Shagaf showed stamina and resolution to win his first stakes.

Earth-shattering? No. One step closer? Yes.