The Grade 2 Remsen Stakes is Saturday at Aqueduct Park.
Due to some recent achievements the Remsen seems a reliable indicator of Triple Crown success.
DORNOCH took last years Remsen and then went on to Win the Belmont Stakes as well as the Haskell Stakes.
SIERRA LEONE ran 2nd to DORNOCH in last years contest. He lost the Kentucky Derby by a nose and came in 3rd in the Belmont…but he closed out the year by Winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Some other notable Winners from this century: MO DONEGAL (2021), CATHOLIC BOY (2017), and HONOR CODE (2013).
Here is a brief look at Saturday’s field for the 1 1/8 mile contest:
1. TUX Jockey: Junior Alvarado. Trainer: Bill Mott. Won his debut nicely at 6 ½ furlongs. Speed figure for that effort was average but he has the breeding to handle the two-turn distance. Will be helped by a rail trip.
2. AVIATOR GUI Jockey: Manny Franco. Trainer: Chad Brown. Was tested on grass last out in the Awad Stakes and didn’t answer. Returns to dirt where he broke his Maiden. Should offer an improved effort but needs to take a step forward to be a top threat here.
3. POSTER Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Eoin Harty. He’s unbeaten in two starts- but they were on turf. Has a dirt pedigree but his speed figures are on the low side.
4. STUDLYDORIGHT Jockey: Xavier Perez. Trainer: John Robb. In six starts, only weak effort was in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. Turned in a big effort to Win the Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct– if he can duplicate that effort he’ll be a big threat…there’s also a good chance he might bounce off that try.
5. KEEWAYDIN Jockey: Dylan Davis. Trainer: Chad Brown. Turned in a stellar Maiden Win in his second start earning a fast time at seven furlongs. Has the breeding to excel at two turns and comes from a top barn. There’s lots to like here.
6. SURFSIDE MOON Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche. Trainer: James Lawrence. He’s winless on dirt and appears to be in over his head here.
7. GUN TRADER Jockey: Francisco Martinez. Trainer: Uriah St. Lewis. Broke his Maiden on his 6th start at Parx Racing. His speed figures are undesirably low. Hard pass.
The Remsen is listed as race 7 on a card of 10 with a scheduled post Time of 2:35.
