The Remsen Stakes Tipsheet

The $250,000 Remsen (G2) will be run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Saturday for 2-year-olds. The field will have a short run into the clubhouse turn so some will be compromised. There is not much early speed in the race, however, so an aggressive ride could help. The Remsen is part of the 2019-2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby with 10 points going to the winner, 4 points going to the second-place finisher, 2 points go to the third-place finisher and 1 point goes to the fourth-place finisher.

Top Remsen Stakes Picks

• 8 Alpha Sixty Six
• 3 Cleon Jones
• 2 Forza Di Oro
• 6 Shotski

• $50 Win: 8

• $20 Exacta: 2,3 with 8

The Remsen Stakes contenders

#1 Chase Tracker rallied from off the pace to win going away at Parx Racing in decent time then came back with a distant third in the Nashua (G3) behind a monster winner. He draws the rail, adds blinkers, and picks up Javier Castellano.  

#2 Forza Di Oro rallied from way back to get second in his career debut at long odds but bounced back as the odds-on favorite and was a sharp winner in good time. Bill Mott has drilled him for this race and goes to his main man, Junior Alvarado – 25% together.    

#3 Cleon Jones caught the final out in the 1969 World Series for the Miracle Mets. The owner here names many runners with New York Mets connections and this New York-bred has been able to handle added distance. Now he takes the move up in class but Jeremiah Englehart has been having a career year and he gets Irad Ortiz Jr. back aboard.  

#4 Ajaaweed broke his maiden second time out when stretched out to a mile then was a distant fourth among a strong field at Keeneland for the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) going two turns. Son of Curlin looks like he can run all day and gets Joel Rosario back aboard.

#5 Informative has improved with each of his six starts and now tries a distance of ground for the first time. He is still a maiden but ran well in a dirt sprint stakes race last out at Laurel for Uriah St. Lewis who shows a flat-bet profit with 201 starters this year.  

#6 Shotski did nothing in his career debut on the turf at Kentucky Downs then switched to the dirt for the first time and won easily at Laurel with Lasix and blinkers added. He was an even fourth in a stakes race at Churchill Downs going a one-turn mile last out. Son of Blame should have no trouble with the distance and could get a strong ride from Luis Saez.     

#7 Prince James looked good breaking his maiden first time out as the 3-2 favorite going two turns at Monmouth Park. He came back with a distant second against allowance foes at Churchill Downs and moves up in class. Manny Franco picks up the mount.  

#8 Alpha Sixty Six broke his maiden first time out at even-money going 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park. He came back in the Champagne (G1) and ran a sneaky-good race while stuck down on the inside from post 1 before swinging to the outside. Todd Pletcher removes the blinkers and the son of Liam’s Map should love two turns with Johnny Velazquez back aboard.

#9 Amends didn’t do much in his career debut going seven furlongs at Saratoga after breaking slowly. He added blinkers last out and romped by over four lengths in an off-the-turf event at Belmont Park but the time was questionable. Shug McGaughey usually takes his time with his youngsters so this is a positive sign entering this late in the year but has a tough post to overcome.