Study Guide: 2024 Remsen Stakes
Dec 03, 2024
Tux winning his debut at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
It’s been a few decades since Thunder Gulch became the last Remsen (G2) starter to win the Kentucky Derby (G1), sweeping both races in 1994-95.
But the Remsen nevertheless remains an important steppingstone on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/8-mile contest for two-year-olds has produced a Kentucky Derby top-four finisher in seven of the last 14 years, including 2024 runner-up Sierra Leone.
This year’s Remsen is taking place on Saturday at Aqueduct. A small but promising field of seven horses has turned out. Let’s meet the entrants:
Tux
Tux wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: LNJ Foxwoods
Breeder: LNJ Foxwoods
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Top Speed Rating: (83) when winning an Aqueduct maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $49,500
Sire: Tapit
Dam: Fancy Dress Party
Color: Gray/roan
Tux impressed in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct last month, drawing off down the homestretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths. As a son of Tapit, Tux has the potential to shine while stretching out over 1 1/8 miles for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Don’t count him out of the mix.
Aviator Gui
Aviator Gui wins at Belmont at the Big A. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durand)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Three Chimneys Farm
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Manny Franco
Top Speed Rating: (80) when winning an Aqueduct maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $70,500
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Paulistinha
Color: Gray/roan
Aviator Gui rallied to break his maiden racing one mile over the Aqueduct main track, then finished fourth in the Awad S. on turf. Returning to dirt should help this stoutly bred colt bounce back under hot jockey Manny Franco.
Poster
Poster wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Eoin Harty
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Top Speed Rating: (81) when winning a turf allowance at Keeneland.
Total Earnings: $104,128
Sire: Munnings
Dam: Pin Up
Color: Chestnut
Poster is undefeated in two starts on turf, most notably winning a one-mile allowance at Keeneland by three lengths. His pedigree suggests switching to dirt won’t be an issue, so Poster is a wildcard with a chance to outrun expectations in the Remsen.
Studlydoright
Studlydoright wins the Nashua S. at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit Chelsea Durand)
Start(s): 6
Wins: 3
Place: 2
Show: 0
Owner: David R. Hughes
Breeder: Glenangus Farm
Trainer: John Robb
Jockey: Xavier Perez
Top Speed Rating: (89) when winning the Tremont S. at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $264,680
Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Peach of a Gal
Color: Chestnut
Studlydoright is the only proven stakes winner in the Remsen field. He counts triumphs in the 5 1/2-furlong Tremont S. and one-mile Nashua S. on his record. Studlydoright brings strong Brisnet Speed ratings to the table and rarely finishes out of the top two, so the door is open for another competitive showing in the Remsen.
Keewaydin
Keewaydin wins at Belmont at the Big A. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Suisie Raisher)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: OXO Equine
Breeder: Terrazas Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Dylan Davis
Top Speed Rating: (93) when finishing third in a Saratoga maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $61,500
Sire: Instagrand
Dam: Nothing But Heart
Color: Bay
The horse to beat in the Remsen is arguably Keewaydin, who owns the two highest Brisnet Speed ratings in the field. He posted a 93 when finishing third by a neck in a deep six-furlong maiden race at Saratoga, then earned a 92 when taking a seven-furlong Aqueduct maiden contest by 1 3/4 lengths. Stretching out over 1 1/8 miles is a new obstacle, but talent may carry this bay colt to the Remsen winner’s circle. It helps that Keewaydin has the red-hot jockey/trainer duo of Dylan Davis and Chad Brown in his corner.
.@J_Keelerman shares four maiden winners that caught his eye this past weekend! 🏇 #MaidenWatch
🌟 Keewaydin
🌟 David of Athens
🌟 Dr Ruben M
🌟 Bracket Busterhttps://t.co/qQrlUJxDoc— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 16, 2024
Surfside Moon
Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Manor Stable and Mair Lee Stables
Breeder: Equivine Farm
Trainer: James L. Lawrence II
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Top Speed Rating: (80) when finishing third in a Delaware Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $43,900
Sire: Malibu Moon
Dam: Crescent Lady
Color: Chestnut
Surfside Moon has shown flashes of talent, most notably winning a one-mile maiden special weight over the Delaware Park turf course. But he finished a couple of lengths behind runner-up Studlydoright when fifth in the Laurel Futurity on dirt, so Surfside Moon may need improvement to turn the tables in the Remsen.
Gun Trader
Start(s): 6
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 2
Owner: Uriah St. Lewis
Breeder: St. Elias Stables
Trainer: Uriah St. Lewis
Jockey: Francisco Martinez
Top Speed Rating: (79) when finishing third in a Parx maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $50,000
Sire: Tom’s d’Etat
Dam: Sugar and Te
Color: Dark bay/brown
Gun Trader exits a 1 1/4-length victory in a one-mile and 70-yard maiden special weight at Parx Racing, his best showing to date. But his career-best 79 Brisnet Speed rating suggests he’ll need a step forward to factor against tougher competition on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
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