The Remsen (Grade 2)- $250.000 Purse
AQU- For Two Year Olds
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
December 1, 2018

The month of December begins with the 14th running of the Grade 2 Remsen, which will see two year olds run nine furlongs. It is a race that draws a handful of BC Juvenile runners, and other accomplished Grade 1 runners as they take on some up and comers looking to make their own mark on this division. Last year, we saw Mist Maker taken home the Remsen win for Crocker Ggs, and he went on to have a fine three year old campaign. That is the story for most of the winners of this race in the past. Ned Isakoff is the last prior winner of this race, doing so in 2015, to win a TC race the following year. (He won the 2016 PRK). That 2015 field was impressive in retrospect, as it also included Atomic Twister and Carneyman. Plenty of reason for us to anticipate a great race here. Let’s meet the field of nine!

#1- Zalim (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by R J Albardo)- The post draw went well for the trainer, drawing the inside two spots. Zalim is a horse that D J C expects a lot out of. While he has many promising two year olds, the fact that he was placed in the Grade 1 Hopeful right after breaking his maiden shows the trainer believes in him mightily. That didn’t go well, but he did bounce back by winning the $100.000 Street Sense, so it’s back in a top graded stake for Zalim. Seemed to show progress in that race, so there is reason to be optimistic for better in the return to the graded level.

#2- Not To Be Denied (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- Starting next to his stablemate, this Niagra gelding is not to be overlooked either. He’s won four of six starts, running off four straight over the summer that included the Grade 2 SAR Special, and the Grade 3 Iroquois at CD. Took that streak to the BC Juvenile, and he ran a respectable fifth in that race. As of press time, he is not scheduled to be on bute. If that doesn’t change, it will be the first time since May that he has not been on it. He also debuted with a shadow roll for the BC, and that too may be gone for this race. We’ll see if those changes stand, and how they hold up.

#3- Commanding Bee (Serenity Stables, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- This colt has made a habit of getting his picture taken with the race winner, but has only managed to get the win once. Five times in six races, though, he was in a photo for the win. Therefore, there is plenty to like here. The one exception was the BC Juvenile, his last start. Only ran 10th that day. Is by Command Attention, a sire that just now motivated me to do something I haven’t done in about two years: Breed a horse without using a voucher for it. His $2.500 fee was that tempting. Wish I had something better to give to him, but that’s a good value. The yearling just ran a virgin work, too. Commanding Bee is proof of that ability.

#4- Nothing To Hide (Mb Stables, ridden by J J Castellano)- Broke his maiden last month at CRC, and will make the big jump into graded company here. This is not unusual for trainer Mb Stables to do, but shows a lot of confidence. The gelding is by Grandeur, but also out of Little Jen, a two-time BC Distaff/Ladies Classic entrant. Promising works, especially running longer, and this should allow him to be a strong challenger for the win here. The bigger question is will he need a race at this level before he scores that big win.

#5- World Turning (Alydar Stables, ridden by B J Hernandez Jr)- After a rough debut, World Turning has never failed to finish outside the top two in his career. The Seven Years colt looks like he has been waiting for the distances to increase and has back to back wins, both run similarly in style of starting near the back, but not too far out, and have come on both surfaces. He has never run in a stake before, has earned his opportunity to take on this field.

#6- Into The Light (Mb Stables, ridden by A A Gallardo)- After winning the Graduation Stakes, for CA-breds, in August, Into The Light has had a little trouble graduating into graded company. Following that win, Mb Stables opted to put Into The Light on the grass, and this did get him a fourth place finish in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes, but that has been the highlight of the last three races. It got him in the BC Juvenile Turf, but he finished in the middle of the field. Now, it’s back to the main track for this one. I anticipate that he will like this move.

#7- Sport Guide (Estero Farms, ridden by C J Lanerie)- This one has been through the private sales block a couple times in his career already, but will be hoping that Estero Farms will be the one to lead him to greatness. Thus far, there has only been one win five starts, but he did debut well for Estero two months ago in the Grade 1 Pharoah. With some time to rest and get acclimated in his new barn, Sport Guide has worked well and is poised to run a big race right here. Definitely an intriguing play, especially if his odds climb.

#8- Viper Command (Aer Stables, ridden by J Talamo)- A new arrival to Aer Stables, this Perfect Command colt was acquired in private sales earlier in the month for $250.000 from Allinthegate. He’s raced just four times, with his most recent outing being the Grade 1 Pharoah. He was not his best that day, but may have just needed to run as he was making a big jump from breaking his maiden and into that race. Work times are good in general, but the most recent public work was not his best. May be a very good reason for that.

#9- Bo Knows (Smokey Stover, ridden by R Bejarano)- I have seen this horse a few times now, and have become a fan of him. For starters, he looked excellent in winning the Grade 1 Champagne back in October, and even that was following great performances in the FL Sire Stakes. Bo does indeed know, horse racing. He also knew collecting a check in the BC, where he ran fourth in the BC Juvenile. Both he and Not To Be Denied raced in close proximity there at the end, though the latter was denied a payout. They would seem to be the two horses to beat here, but as we know, they still have to show up. Not worried about this post.

Prediction: 2-9-3-7

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES