Last year’s Grade 2 Remsen Stakes exacta (pictured) eventually produced Fountain of Youth, Belmont Stakes and Haskell winner Dornoch as well as Blue Grass and Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Sierra Leone. What’s in store for this $250,000 co-feature on Saturday’s Cigar Mile Day card at Aqueduct?
The Remsen is one of several 2-year-old stakes of note this week around the country, including Oaklawn’s Advent on Friday, and Saturday’s Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs and Maryland Juvenile at Laurel Park.
Let’s meet the contenders for the 1-1/8 miles Remsen (Race 7):
#1-TUX: Most lightly raced member of this year’s Remsen won his only start, a November 9 Aqueduct sprint over 6-1/2 furlongs. The Tapit colt is out of Fancy Dress Party, who won 5 of 6 starts (Beaumont et al) as a pure sprinter. Rail speed is beneficial in this race to stretch his game as far as it will go. Trainer Bill Mott is a 2-time Remsen Winner (Court Vision 2007 and To Honor and Serve 2010). Jockey Junior Alvarado won this race in 2015 aboard Mohaymen.
#2-AVIATOR GUI: A winner in 1 of 3 starts, he broke his maiden over a mile at the Big A in September. Sire Uncle Mo also was responsible for 2021 Remsen winner Mo Donegal and 2016 champ Mo Town. Trainer Chad Brown was runner-up in this race last year with Sierra Leone and won it in 2014 with Leave the Light On. Manny Franco piloted 2017 Remsen winner Catholic Boy, who was also the last winner in this race to prep on turf like Aviator Gui bids.
#3-POSTER: Unbeaten Kentucky raider brings a 2-for-2 turf mark into his first stakes chance and first bid on dirt. Munnings colt is out of a half-sister to 2006 Preakness and Travers winner Bernardini. Trainer Eoin Harty and Godolphin won last Saturday’s Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs, already putting First Resort squarely on the Triple Crown trail. Jockey Flavien Prat’s 53 graded stakes wins in 2024 lead the nation and are just 2 off the all-time, single-season record of 55 set by Jerry Bailey in 2003.
#4-STUDLYDORIGHT: Nashua and Tremont winner is the most seasoned Remsen entrant with 3 victories from 6 starts, which include 4 previous road trips to New York venues. The last Maryland-based Remsen winner was Jeremiah O’Dwyer’s Shotski in 2019. Veteran trainer Jerry Robb keeps his Laurel Park A-rider Xavier Perez aboard this son of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. That sire’s current 2-year-old crop also includes Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Immersive.
#5-KEEWAYDIN: Instagrand colt is the highest-priced auction buy in the field at $140,000 amongst an economical cast. Debuted a solid third at Saratoga before an Aqueduct graduation score October 12. Earned field’s top Beyer Speed Figure (91) in his 7-furlong victory. Should be on or near the pace while trying to extend miler’s pedigree under Dylan Davis, who has won more races on the NYRA circuit this year than any other rider. Trainer Chad Brown was runner-up in this race last year with Sierra Leone and won it in 2014 with Leave the Light On.
#6-SURFSIDE MOON: Delaware Park turf mile winner in August holds a 1-for-5 record, but is 3: 0-0-1 on dirt. Trainer James L. Lawrence II flirted with the Triple Crown in 2016 with Jerome and Withers runner-up Vorticity. Finished 2 lengths behind Remsen rival Studydoright in the Laurel Futurity when fifth. Kendrick Carmouche rode him last out when fifth on grass in the Awad Stakes and returns in the saddle. Catholic Boy (2017) was the last Remsen winner to exit a turf prep.
#7-GUN TRADER: $8,000 bargain purchase took 6 starts to break his maiden, punching home as the 3-2 favorite on November 4 at Parx. Maximus Mischief successfully took the Parx path to the Remsen winner’s circle in 2018. From the first crop to race by Tom’s d’Etat, who won the Fayette, Clark and Stephen Foster over the Remsen’s 9-furlong trip. Apprentice jockey Francisco Martinez retains the mount and looks for his first graded stakes score. Trainer Uriah St. Lewis is best known for Discreet Lover’s 45-1 upset in the 2018 Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup in a previous NYRA raid.
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