The Remsen – Grade II [KYD]
AQU Race #3 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Two Year Olds.
1 Two Punch, trained by Mb Stables
He was looking like yet another top two year old from the massive Mb Stable until his last start when he disappointed when taking on grade three company in The Futurity. There weren’t too many excuses that day, but this hike in trip may be the answer in getting him back to winning ways. His mile work last time out was super and suggested he was always going to find limitations in sprint races. Ignore this one at your peril.
2 Flashback Time, trained by Downwond Stable
Looked very handy when taking the ungraded Saplin Stakes on a slushy track by three lengths, and proved he was more than a wet tracker last time out in The Front Runner Stakes. Starting slowly, he ran on nicely to be fifth beaten just three lengths, and he is working similar times to the best of them, so should be very competitive today.
3 Niner Forty Niner, trained by John Henry
He has been a victim of horse selling park in his first season, getting his third owner back in August. Considering his sale price has never dipped below $200.000 he has been a big disappointment with just a maiden win to his name. He showed up for a long way in The Champagne last time, but the wide draw ensured he weakened out of it at the end. With work times a tick off some of these, he may disappoint again today.
4 Kill Or Be Killed, trained by Night Rider Stables
Contested the Iroquois as a maiden but trailed all the way to finish last. That experience did him some good though, as he stormed home in a SA maiden last time winning by an handy two lengths. That win took a while coming, and he isn’t without a chance, but he will need to have improved significantly to be a factor here.
5 Not Perfect, trained by Gdp Inc
Took four goes to win his maiden, but when he did, he proved once again what a narrow band these horses fit into by taking the grade two Nashua in his very next race. Making all and keeping on gamely, he won by just under a length in a decent time, suggesting there is plenty of improvement in him. He is certainly the form horse of the race, but to make all again today, he will have to be right up to his best, if he is he goes very close to winning.
6 Laffintothebank, trained by Jerry Garcia Racing
Beaten into second in The Nashua by Not Perfect, he was staying on nicely and should appreciate this extra distance. He ran on to be a close fourth in the Bourbon before that, so he definately looks a routing type. His works are a tick off the best but he will be running on at the end.
7 Take A Mile, trained by Mb Stables
Looks very much the second string of the stable despite a decent maiden win last time out. With only two starts, he is entitled to improve, but his works suggest he is in for the minor placing.
8 Dixieland Force, trained by Langley Farms
A tough sort who hasn’t run a bad race yet, but I just have a feeling he may be outclassed today. He was running on well at the end of a decent allowance last time, so the trip should suit, and if he can get into midpack and find a way through he may have a chance of place money.
9 Mr C, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Won a competitive allowance at BEL before a massive effort in the Brett Futurity saw him closing hard to dead heat for third. That was a big run and very close to the best form in the race, so he clearly is on everyone short list. He ran from a wide gate that day, and in winning his allowance so this unsavoury draw shouldnt bother him, and he is one of the handful that have worked sub 1.37 for the mile which all adds up to give him a great chance.
10 Profound Approach, trained by Heavens Own
Wasted his maiden win at the free track and has taken an RP allowance since, so clearly has ability, but this nasty draw may be against him. His works aren’t bad, and he won his allowance in a handy time, so whilst he is not out of it, there are better chances to weigh up.
11 Duke King, trained by Kopites
The stable of the moment bought this one for $250.000 after his good fifth in the Brett Futurity. He was beaten less than a length that day and was running on nicely, so if his trainer can negotiate the car park draw, he should be right in it.
SUMMARY
Not an overly strong field, although most of these are working faster than last years KYD contenders were in March this year. That aside, the two best workers are Two Punch and Flashback Time, so you wont go too far wrong in picking one of them. Look for Mr C and Duke King closing hard at the end.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
