They called it the battle of the New York-bred brawlers when undefeated colt Samraat edged out Uncle Sigh to secure a hard-earned victory in the $500,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct last weekend to go to the top of the qualifying list for the Kentucky Derby.

The rivals first met on February 1 in the Withers Stakes when Samraat emerged victorious by a length. .

They had company for their rematch as pacesetter In Trouble stayed gamely with them in an exciting three-horse battle down the length of the Gotham stretch.

"This is a real horse now," trainer Rick Violette said of Samraat.

“We knew he had a shot to be a real horse after the Withers; he proved he is a real horse today."

"This was a deep field of horses, he graduated big time.

“His last race was terrific and this was a notch above that. He was pretty impressive."

Samraat has been conditioned at Violette's winter base at Palm Meadows training center in Florida prepping there before the Withers and shipping back to prepare for the Gotham. He again returned to Florida after the Gotham.

"I'd be lying if I said we weren't already thinking (about the Kentucky Derby)," Violette said.

"At this stage, we didn't want to do anything that would prevent us from going to the Derby.

"The Wood Memorial is a real possibility. That would be our best option as long as the horse co-operates and tells us that we should get on a plane and come up for it."

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Samraat settled third on the outside while In Trouble struck out for the lead and tracked by Uncle Sigh.

None of the other nine sophomores were a factor as the three leaders separated themselves heading into the far turn when Samraat closed ground with a sweeping three-wide move.

Uncle Sigh fought back gamely in the middle and In Trouble hung tough on the rail but in the end Samraat prevailed by a neck under a confident hand ride from Ortiz, with In Trouble finishing a neck back of Uncle Sigh.

Gary Contessa, trainer of Uncle Sigh, declared the Withers "Rocky I" and the Gotham "Rocky II" and round three may come up on April 5 when they head to G1 Wood Memorial, New York's marquee Kentucky Derby prep race.

"Samraat is a nice horse. Now I'm a believer," Contessa said.

"We closed the gap on him a little bit today, and my horse is still very young. He was intimidated but we're getting better.

“He's certainly developing. I love the distance of the Wood. God willing, and if the horse is sound, we'll come back there."