The nine furlong, Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct is an early stamina test for Kentucky Derby 2012 hopefuls and morning line favorite Souper Speedy is the one to catch.
Conditioned by Tom Albertrani and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Souper Speedy skipped across the Belmont mud in his seven panel wire job debut over next out winner Hierro. The fleet son of Indian Charlie gets stamina influences from the female side of his pedigree but figures to face pace pressure and won’t offer much value.
The second choice on the line is El Padrino, and he earned a spot on my Kentucky Derby Top 10 list with an overpowering maiden victory in the slop at Belmont Park. The Todd Pletcher trainee owns a long winded pedigree and regular pilot John Velazquez has options with the versatile sort.
Stephanoatsee ran well in both Laurel Park outings for Graham Motion and should be finishing fast under Ramon Dominguez. Like El Padrino, he is a son of A.P. Indy, and dam Oatsee has thrown the likes of G1 Alabama winner Lady Joanne and G1 Preakness hero Shackleford. He’s my top choice at 4-1.
Managed Account owns fine tactical speed and exits a local stakes win at a flat mile. His numbers are going the right way and he figures to offer value at 5-1 on the line.
Our Entourage, trained by Todd Pletcher for Mike Repole, was last seen finishing a respectable 5th in the G1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. He graduated in a turf route and began his career with a distant place finish in a dirt sprint, so the son of Street Cry can seemingly handle any ground.
Speightscity owns a nine furlong win and looms a pace player at the very least. Done Talking, Mucho Mas Macho, O’Prado Again, and Scatter a Star complete the 10-horse field.
The $30 Play:
$12 to win Stephanoatsee
$1 Trifecta El Padrino, Stephanoatsee, Managed Account with El Padrino, Stephanoatsee, Managed Account with El Padrino, Souper Speedy, Our Entourage, Stephanoatsee, Managed Account
horseracingnation
