​Mohaymen brings lofty reputation into Remsen Stakes

Nov 26, 2015 by James Scully

Saturday’s $300,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct serves as a qualifier for the 2016 Kentucky Derby, offering points on a 10-4-2-1 sliding scale to the top four finishers, and Mohaymen is the one to beat among nine 2-year-old in the 1 1/8-mile race.

A half-brother to 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner New Year’s Day, Mohaymen is a gray son of leading sire Tapit and sold for a whopping $2.2 million price tag at the 2014 Keeneland September sale. The Shadwell Stable-owned colt is unbeaten in two career starts for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, including a facile 1 ¾-length decision in his stakes debut, the November 4 Nashua (G2) at Aqueduct.

Off of the Nashua, Mohaymen was installed as the 15-1 co-second choice among individual interests on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 morning line. The Remsen marks his first start in a points’ race and Mohaymen will add first-time Lasix and keep Junior Alvarado in the saddle.

Flexibility and Sail Ahoy, the second- and third-place finishers in the Nashua, will also return from the Remsen. The Chad Brown-trained Flexibility, a son of 2006 Kentucky Derby runner-up Bluegrass Cat, will receive a new rider in Irad Ortiz Jr. Sail Ahoy, who has the same connections of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb (owner Phipps Stable, trainer Shug McGaughey & jockey Joel Rosario), will add first-time blinkers after offering a solid closing kick in his last three outings.

Flexibility and Sail Ahoy are also listed in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager along with Gift Box, a promising son of Twirling Candy who is also trained by Brown. Gift Box exits a maiden win at Belmont Park on October 3 and will retain the services of Javier Castellano.

Rounding out the field is Marengo Road, who will be tested for class following a 9 ¼-length allowance/optional claiming victory at Laurel Park, and maiden winners Donegal Moon, Hunter O’Riley, Ravenheart and Runaway King.