Known Agenda to make stakes debut in Remsen; Malathaat tops Demoiselle

Dec 03, 2020 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Known Agenda is among five runners seeking Kentucky Derby qualifying points in Saturday’s $150,000 Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct. The chestnut colt will make his stakes debut for Todd Pletcher after breaking his maiden over the track.

By Curlin, Known Agenda finished second to well-regarded Highly Motivated in his first start, a 6 1/2-furlong test at Belmont Park in late September. He came back to edge the promising Greatest Honour by a head four weeks ago, stretching out to Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile distance. John Velazquez will be up on the St Elias Stable homebred.

Nashua (G3) winner Pickin’ Time is the most accomplished 2-year-old in the field. A New Jersey-bred son of Stay Thirsty, the Kelly Breen-trained colt earned his first stakes win in the 6-furlong Smoke Glacken at Monmouth Park in late September, and the dark bay made it two straight when taking the one-mile Nashua at Aqueduct on Nov. 8, rolling to a 2 1/4-length decision at 9-1 odds. Jose Lezcano picks up the assignment.

The Remsen offers 17 points (10-4-2-1 scale) to the top four as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

Nashua runner-up Ten for Ten, New York-bred stakes victor Brooklyn Strong, and Laurel Park maiden winner Erawan complete the field.

Later on the program, eight juvenile fillies will contest the $150,000 Demoiselle (G2) over 1 1/8 miles. The Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifier is worth a combined 17 points toward a berth in the Run for the Lillies, and Pletcher is responsible for the favorite, Malathaat.

A smashing 7 3/4-length winner of the Nov. 6 Tempted S. at Aqueduct, Malathaat will bring a 2-for-2 record to the Demoiselle. Shadwell Stable purchased the Curlin filly for $1,050,000 as a yearling, and the front-running bay is the first foal out of Grade 1 winner Dreaming of Julia. Velazquez guides the exciting youngster.

Pletcher will also send out Traffic Lane, who exits a turf maiden win.

Millefeuille, a Juddmonte Farm homebred daughter of Curlin, will make her first stakes attempt for Hall of Famer Bill Mott following a sharp four-length maiden tally in her second outing. Junior Alvarado rides. 

Dollar Mountain and Malibu Curl are also trying stakes competition following convincing maiden wins. Tempted third-placer Café Society is part of the mix for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.