We are still five months away, but it is not too early to start talking about the 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1), and Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen (G2) is the second steppingstone in New York for talented juveniles seeking to hop on the Triple Crown trail.
The first Derby points race held in New York was the Champagne (G1) which was won by Firenze Fire. The Remsen is a Kentucky Derby points race with 10-4-2-1 points up for grabs to the top four finishers.
The race drew a field of 10 led by 3-1 morning line favorite Avery Island, winner of the Nashua (G2) at Aqueduct on Nov. 5.
Trainer by Kiaran McLaughlin, Avery Island is currently listed at 35-1 in early Kentucky Derby future wagering at US Racing. McLaughlin won the 2015 Remsen with Mohaymen.
Trainer Chad Brown, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) with maiden Good Magic sends out Alkhaatam, who rallied to finish third in his debut. Good Magic is taking plenty of action in early Kentucky Derby betting, listed at 8-1 at US Racing.
The Remsen is one of four graded stakes on Saturday’s card at Aqueduct. The feature is the $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) with a showdown between Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) runner up Sharp Azteca and Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) third place finisher Mind Your Biscuits.
Also on the card is the $250,000 Demoiselle (G2) for juvenile fillies and the $200,000 Go for Wand (G3) for fillies and mares.
Let’s head out to the Big A for Saturday’s featured race of the day:
Aqueduct Race 9 The Remsen (G2) Post time 3:45 ET
7 Alkhaatam 7-2
3 Avery Island 3-1
4 Biblical 8-1
5 Catholic Boy 5-1
Alkhaatam showed some promise in his debut where he was last early and came with a six-wide rally to finish up well for a close up third going a one turn mile at Belmont Park, beaten ¾ of a length and a head shy of getting to runner up Triple Dog Dare. The colt has worked sharply since his last outing and let’s not forget trainer Chad Brown won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) with Good Magic who had run second in his debut and then was the runner up in the Champagne (G1). This colt has a solid pedigree to handle the extra ground, by Tapit out of a Mr. Greeley mare, her first foal to race.
Avery Island took the field gate to wire to break his maiden in his second career start and first route. He then came back to win the Nashua (G2), battling for the early lead and going on to win by 4 ¾ lengths. By Street Sense out of a A.P. Indy mare, this guy is bred to run all day and can handle his first trip around two turns. He likely will not be on the lead in this spot but should get a good tracking trip sitting just off the pace.
Biblical stalked the early pace and drew clear late to break his maiden last out in his third career start and first at nine furlongs. The colt has looked better with each outing and looks as if he still has plenty of upside. The $800,000 purchase is out of a stakes placed Catienus mare and he is a half to multiple Grade 1 winner Princess of Sylmar ($2 million).
Wagering:
WIN: #7 to win at 3-1 or better.
EXACTA: 3,7 / 3,4,5,7
TRIFECTA: 3,7 / 3,4,5,7 / 3,4,5,7,8
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