By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
The Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders are heading to the Aqueduct this week for a qualifying pair of $250,000 each, and I can’t think of a better way to kick off December than is handicap both races.
Let’s find out and consider the key candidates!
Remsen S. (G2)
Until the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races took place, Remsen wasn’t the most productive stepping stone to “Run for the Roses.” The last Remsen starter to win the Kentucky Derby was Thunder Gulch, who won both races in 1994-95. Since then, only three Remsen starters have broken three Kentucky Derby games, most recently Mucho Macho Man in 2011.
But perhaps Remsen in 2021 will change the plot. The 1/8 mile race has drawn a promising field with some interesting maiden winners, including graded bets #3 Judge Davis, first-time winner completes fast # 7 Zandonand run long #1 Mo Donegal.
The second pony is the one I like to bet on the most. From a pedigree perspective, he was bred to enjoy racing 1 1/8 mile. Sire Uncle Mo is a junior champion known for his two-pass picks at the racecourse, with the 2015 Kentucky Derby winner being Nyquist, his best runner to date. . Meanwhile, Mo Donegal’s dam is Callmissbrown, daughter of winner Blue Grass S. (G2) and affects Pulpit’s stamina.
So far, Mo Donegal is living up to his pedigree. Practitioner Todd Pletcher ran great on his first 6 1/2 mile sprint at Belmont Park, overcoming a slow start and some traffic to get to 4 1/4 of the final mile and finished third. He then stretched over 1 1/16 miles in Belmont and quickly rallied from midfield to score 1 1/2 the length.
Mo Donegal delivers an encouraging Brisnet Speed rating and his first win is welcome as third-place finisher Life Is Great returns to dominate his next bout. Mo Donegal tends to break out slowly, but racing 1 1/8 mile will give him time to overcome this weakness, and Remsen’s lack of pace on paper will ensure Mo Donegal doesn’t fall too far behind. early on.
Three-time Eclipse Award-winning cyclist Irad Ortiz (27% winner in partnership with Pletcher over the past two months), and what don’t you like? Mo Donegal looks ready to make a winning attempt in Remsen.
Demoiselle S. (G2)
In contrast to Remsen when preparing for the Kentucky Derby, the 1/8-mile Demoiselle proved more productive as a stepping stone for the Kentucky Oaks. Last year’s Demoiselle winner, Malathaat, returned to claim the Kentucky Oaks in 2021, while recent Demoiselle heroines Wonder Gadot and Lewis Bay both broke the trio in the Oaks.
There are a number of promising positions included in the 2021 Demoiselle, led by #7 Magic circle. As the first sprint winner at Saratoga, intern Rudy Rodriguez competed with the holding company twice. After finishing fourth in Frizette S. (G1) behind future winner Echo Zulu of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Magic Circle improved to second in the one-mile Tempted S. in Belmont, only got beaten halfway after hitting the tempo button.
But is Magic Circle the most Demoiselle winner? Unnecessary. Her pedigree leans more towards speed than endurance, so stretching over 1 1/8 mile (while debuting about two turns) is a question mark. There is a big chance that the longer journey will play to the strengths of # 5 Nest instead of, replace.
The daughter of Curlin off AP Indy mare Marino Ravenwood, the Nest was bred from top to bottom to enjoy long runs — in fact, her full brother Idol won a quarter mile Santa Anita H. (G1) last winter. And Nest certainly looks like a road star as it beats her debut by more than 1 1/16 miles in Belmont by five lengths.
Nest then promoted to Tempted, where she ran fast before reaching 2 3/4 of the way through the final leg to finish third, just one neck behind the Magic Circle. Coach Todd Pletcher has won Demoiselle half a dozen times (including last year against Malathaat), so I’m optimistic Nest will win her ranked debut. Hot pitcher Irad Ortiz (29% winner at Aqueduct) is named to ride, and the tactical speed Nest displayed at launch will be enough to secure a striker spot in a mostly no-beat field. degrees on Saturday.
In short, I expect Nest to turn the tables on Magic Circle and bring Demoiselle victory. And who knows? Perhaps she will be Malathaat’s example and grow into a Kentucky Oaks winner in 2022.
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in Remsen and Demoiselle?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, amputee, and horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers the Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
