How to bet the 2019 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct

On Saturday, December 7, nine promising 2-year-olds with Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations will head to the Aqueduct starting gate for the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2).

The Remsen offers 10 Kentucky Derby qualification points to the winner, plus a rare opportunity to negotiate 1 1/8 miles before the final round of prep races during the spring. Whichever runner emerges victorious Saturday will have to demonstrate above-average stamina.

There are several stakes-experienced runners in the Remsen field, including Breeders’ Futurity (G1) fourth-place finisher #4 Ajaaweed and Nashua Stakes (G3) third-place finisher #1 Chase Tracker. But despite the quality of the field, I’m confident #8 Alpha Sixty Six is the horse to beat. His bare form might not be the most impressive, but I suspect he is ready for an improved run Saturday.

Conditioned by two-time Remsen-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, Alpha Sixty Six was heavily favored to win his debut September 7 at Belmont Park and delivered with a gritty victory. Reserved behind a modest pace by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, Alpha Sixty Six rallied tenaciously in the stretch to win by a neck, with sharp finishing fractions.

This effort prompted a start in the prestigious Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont, but Alpha Sixty Six endured a tough trip. After a break from the rail, the colt shied inward shortly after the break, lost a lot of momentum and conceded the field about five lengths in the first sixteenth of a mile. Alpha Sixty Six subsequently rallied wide to reach contention in the stretch, where he briefly ran up on the heels of a rival before he shifted outside to finish with interest.

Although Alpha Sixty Six crossed the wire fifth, he was beaten less than a length for the runner-up spot. A son of hot young sire Liam’s Map, Alpha Sixty Six was produced from a Giant’s Causeway mare and should have sufficient stamina to handle 1 1/8 miles. His Brisnet late pace ratings of 94 and 95 rank among the best in the field.

There are a couple of other reasons to favor Alpha Sixty Six. Pletcher will remove the colt's blinkers for the Remsen, perhaps in an effort to shake things up and trigger an improved performance. Also, Velazquez will retain the mount, which suggests he still has faith in the quality of this $400,000 yearling purchase.

Let’s bet Alpha Sixty Six to win and play him on top in the trifecta, with Ajaaweed, Chase Tracker and Bertram F. Bongard Stakes winner #3 Cleon Jones underneath.

$15 to win on #8 Alpha Sixty Six $2.5 trifecta: 8 with 1,3,4 with 1,3,4 ($15)

Good luck!