2023 Remsen Stakes at a Glance: Mage’s Little Brother Dornoch is the Horse to Beat

Racing
2023 Remsen Stakes, Aqueduct, Dornoch.
Winter racing at the Big A. (Eclipse Sportswire)

The Remsen Stakes winner has not captured the Kentucky Derby since 1995 when Thunder Gulch pulled off the double, but an even longer streak could come to an end next year based on what happens Saturday at Aqueduct. Included among the field of 10 2-year-olds entered in the Remsen is Dornoch, who just so happens to be a full brother to this year’s Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve winner Mage. Since full brothers have yet to capture the run for the roses, a victory by Dornoch in the Remsen – or even a strong effort – could quite possibly turn the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve into an intriguing family affair.

REMSEN STAKES

Racetrack: Aqueduct Racetrack, Ozone Park, N.Y.

Date: Dec. 2

Purse: $250,000

Distance: 1 1/8 miles

Race: 9

Post Time: 3:45 p.m. Eastern

Notable winners: Mo Donegal (2021), Catholic Boy (2014), Honor Code (2013), Coronado’s Quest (1997), Thunder Gulch (1994), Go for Gin (1993), Java Gold (1986), Pleasant Colony (1980), Key To The Mint (1971), Damascus (1966), Northern Dancer (1963), Carry Back (1960), Johnstown (1939).

First held: 1904

1. Le Dom Bro (50-1): He’s never raced beyond six furlongs, which does not bode well for his chances of handling the Remsen’s mile-and-an-eighth distance. Needed three tries to break his maiden before he finally broke through in a restricted race. A tossout here.

JOCKEY: Jose Gomez TRAINER: Eniel Cordero

2. Domestic Product (10-1): One of two Chad Brown-trained starters, he has a win over the track at this distance. Given his connections and that kind of experience, he can be a major player.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco TRAINER: Chad Brown

Dornoch. (Carson Blevins/Eclipse Sportswire)

3. Dornoch (5-2): The aforementioned full brother to Mage is coming off a convincing maiden win at Keeneland in fast time. He was second in a two-turn stakes at Monmouth Park before that and will be tough to beat if he duplicates his last try.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez TRAINER: Danny Gargan                                      

4. Moonlight (9-2): Was a game second in the Street Sense Stakes on a sloppy surface at Churchill Downs. His best effort came in his lone dry track race, an eight-length maiden here at Aqueduct. Cannot be overlooked in this field.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr. TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

5. Drum Roll Please (10-1): Broke his maiden in his third try. Hails from a top barn and seems to be getting better with every start. Seems a legitimate candidate to figure in the exotics.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano TRAINER: Brad Cox

6. Billal (12-1): Lacked a late kick when a distant third at Aqueduct in the one-mile Nashua Stakes. Takes the blinkers off here but seems a cut below the top threats.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado TRAINER: Bill Mott

7. Sierra Leone (4-1): A $2.3 million yearling buy, he closed nicely to win his career debut for Brown. Seems to have the pedigree to handle nine furlongs, but the lack of racing experience could prove troublesome in a big field.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz TRAINER: Chad Brown

Where's Chris. (Sue Kawczynski/Eclipse Sportswire)

8. Where’s Chris (6-1): Won the Nashua Stakes at 19.80-1 odds for trainer Rick Dutrow, who is winning at a 30% clip at the meet. His pedigree says he should handle two turns, making him one to watch very closely here.

JOCKEY: Isaac Castillo TRAINER: Rick Dutrow

9. Copper Tax (10-1): Arrives from the mid-Atlantic region with a slate of five straight wins and will be tested for class here. This will be his graded stakes debut and five of his six career starts have been at six furlongs or less. Breaking from the nine post adds to the obstacles facing him.

JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche TRAINER: Gary Capuano

10. Private Desire (10-1): Was a no-factor fourth in the Nashua at 2.30-1 odds after a speedy maiden win. Could bounce back to top form here, but the outside post doesn’t help matters.

JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

THE PICK: Dornoch

LIVE LONGSHOT: Domestic Product

SUPERFECTA: 3-8-2-5


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