Remsen

Dec 06, 2019

Nine juveniles will go postward in the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct  on Saturday. The “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” event attracted a well-matched field of two-year-olds going 1 ⅛ miles on the dirt, and it will offer points on a 10-4-2-1 basis to the top-four finishers. 

CHASE TRACKER
Total 2 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
0
Show:
1
Top Speed Rating:
(90) in Debut Tally at Parx
Total Earnings:
$63,000
Owner:
St. Elias Stable
Breeder:
Marcuzzi Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Trainer:
Todd Pletcher
Jockey:
Javier Castellano
Sire:
Verrazano
Dam:
Nutmeg
Color:
Dark Bay

This colt was a debut winner at Parx prior to checking in a distant third in the Nashua Stakes (G3) last time out. The Todd Pletcher pupil draws well on the rail for his two-turn debut, and the Kentucky-bred will also race with blinkers for the initial time today. Javier Castellano inherits the mount. 

FORZA DI ORO
Total 2 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
1
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(84) when second on debut at Belmont Park
Total Earnings:
$56,250
Owner:
Don Alberto Stable
Breeder:
Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer:
Bill Mott
Jockey:
Junior Alvarado
Sire:
Speightstown
Dam:
: Filare l’Oro
Color:
Chestnut
Chestnut colt from the barn of Bill Mott finished up well to graduate over special weight foes at Belmont Park in advance of his stakes bow. The half-brother to multiple Grade-3 victor Silver Dust is bred to run long, and he will enter the Remsen with a recent bullet drill. The Kentucky-bred retains the services of Junior Alvarado.
CLEON JONES
Total 5 start(s)
Wins:
2
Place:
2
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(90) when second in Sleepy Hollow Stakes
Total Earnings:
: $220,380
Owner:
Gold Square, LLC
Breeder:
Empire Equines, LLC
Trainer:
Jeremiah Englehart
Jockey:
Irad Ortiz, Jr
Sire:
Tale of the Cat
Dam:
Whispering
Color:
Dark Bay

The most accomplished horse in the cast has been first or second in three straight stakes tries with New York-bred foes. This $325,000 two-year-old purchase will travel two turns for the first time in his career, and the late runner is training in strong fashion in anticipation of his first appearance with open company. Irad Ortiz, Jr. opts to stay in the silks atop the youngster. 

AJAAWEED
Total 3 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
0
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(89) in maiden victory at Belmont Park
Total Earnings:
$69,850
Owner:
Shadwell Stable
Breeder:
Shadwell Farm, LLC
Trainer:
Kiaran McLaughlin
Jockey:
Joel Rosario
Sire:
Curlin
Dam:
Asiya
Color:
Bay

This fine prospect was a powerful maiden graduate two back prior to a fourth-place finish behind Maxfield in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1). The well-bred son of Curlin has since posted five solid morning works in advance of his first run at Aqueduct for conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin. Joel Rosario will once again guide the contender. 

INFORMATIVE
Total 6 start(s)
Wins:
0
Place:
2
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(97) when second in Lewis Stakes at Laurel Park
Total Earnings:
$35,800
Owner:
Uriah St. Lewis
Breeder:
Rose Hill Farm and John Trumbulovic
Trainer:
Uriah St. Lewis
Jockey:
John Bisono
Sire:
Bodemister
Dam:
Lucky Black
Color:
Dark Bay

Improving colt has shown progression since adding blinkers three back, capped by a fine stakes try at Laurel Park most recently. The April foal is still a maiden after six starts, but he should be as fit as any in the field with six outings to this point in 2019. John Bisono comes along for the ride. 

SHOTSKI
Total 3 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
0
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(91) in Street Sense Stakes fourth
Total Earnings:
$29,722
Owner:
Gary Barber et al’s
Breeder:
Springland Farm and Prime Bloodstock, LLC
Trainer:
Jeremiah O’Dwyer
Jockey:
Luis Saez
Sire:
Blame
Dam:
She Cat
Color:
Bay

This son of Blame showed nothing on debut on the turf at Kentucky Downs, but he has turned into a nice one since moving to the main surface. The colt comes off a strong try in the Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs, and he was flattered when the horse that finished in front of him won a Grade 2 race last weekend. Luis Saez will pilot the dangerous commodity. 

PRINCE JAMES
Total 2 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
1
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(83) in debut win at Monmouth Park
Total Earnings:
$46,400
Owner:
Newtown Anner Stud and Kimdon Racing, LLC
Breeder:
Preston Stables, LLC
Trainer:
Kelsey Danner
Jockey:
Manny Franco
Sire:
Tiznow
Dam:
Super Savvy
Color:
Dark Bay

This $150,000 son of Tiznow was a smart winner going long at first asking at Monmouth Park, and he rallied to be a good runner-up in a subsequent allowance tilt beneath the Twin Spires most recently. The March foal will be equipped with blinkers for the initial time in the Remsen and the Kelsey Danner pupil could be a major player from off the pace today with a forward move

ALPHA SIXTY SIX
Total 2 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
0
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(87) in maiden win and Champagne Stakes (G1) fifth
Total Earnings:
$61,250
Owner:
Paul Pompa, Jr.
Breeder:
Overbrook Farm and Kildare Stud
Trainer:
Todd Pletcher
Jockey:
John Velazquez
Sire:
Liam’s Map
Dam:
Giant Sensation
Color:
Bay

One of two in the field for Pletcher was an even fifth in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in advance of this outing. The $400,000 son of Liam’s Map will remove his blinkers for this test, and the bay colt will be a threat in the stretch if he responds to the equipment change. The presence of regular pilot John Velazquez adds to the appeal of the colt. 

AMENDS
Total 2 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
0
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(83) in maiden score at Belmont Park
Total Earnings:
$41,790
Owner:
Phipps Stable
Breeder:
Phipps Stable
Trainer:
Shug McGaughey
Jockey:
Jose Ortiz
Sire:
Uncle Mo
Dam:
Guilty Verdict
Color:
Bay

This bay son of Uncle Mo showed marked improvement in his second career showing when adding blinkers and stretching out in distance for Shug McGaughey. The well-bred colt draws widest for his stakes debut in a field full of fine contenders, but he figures to improve with experience for a patient barn. The April foal loses Rosario but picks up Jose Ortiz to wear the silks. 

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