Meet the Contenders: 2025 Remsen Stakes
Renegade (inside) outfinished Paladin after a bumpy stretch drive in an October maiden race, but was disqualified to second place. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
December 2nd, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Day One Starter wins at Belmont at the Big A. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#1 Day One Starter ***
Pro: Strong maiden win, but didnβt run to his best in Nashua S.
Con: Well beaten in two of three starts, so might not be quite this caliber yet.
Renegade (inside) outfinished Paladin after a bumpy stretch drive in an October maiden race, but was disqualified to second place. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#2 Paladin *****
Pro: Has parallels with Sierra Leone, who Dornoch nosed out in 2023 Remsen.
Con: Figures to run big, but hard to envision getting a respectable price.
ππππππππ πππππ ππππππ πππππ: πππππππ ππππ πππ ππ
— TwinSpires Racing π (@TwinSpires) October 21, 2025
π Paladin
π Confessional
π Dr. Kapur
π Mr. A.P.https://t.co/0UcKIfAoAA
I Did I Did wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 I Did I Did **
Pro: No faults from a pedigree perspective and Maker barn hot this meet.
Con: Made no headway in Street Sense (G3); this spot is notably deeper.
#6 Courting wins with #3 Grittiness second and #5 Stream It third at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Grittiness **
Pro: Adds blinkers, and two turns is likely to be beneficial.
Con: Pletcher's third-stringer is still a maiden; perhaps better further down the line.
Chambersville wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 Chambersville *
Pro: Has yet to run on dirt, but surface perhaps not a significant issue given pedigree.
Con: Doesnβt look quick enough to hang with these now.
Courting breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)
#6 Courting ****
Pro: Half-brother to Clairiere, who won comfortably second out; distance likely to help.
Con: Needs to quicken a little, figure-wise, to make the frame.
Igniter breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#7 Igniter ***
Pro: Stepped up to win second out over a mile; form of both runs has held up.
Con: Pedigree suggests one turn might be more his forte.
TwinSpires
#8 Concarneau *
Pro: Graduated at Parx by open lengths, albeit in a modest time.
Con: Hard to make any case after the Laurel allowance debacle.
Renegade (inside) outfinished Paladin after a bumpy stretch drive in an October maiden race, but was disqualified to second place. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#9 Renegade ****
Pro: Made noticeable progress second out despite DQ; distance will help more.
Con: FWIW, Derby Future wagerers much prefer Paladinβs potential upside.
Balboa (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#10 Balboa **
Pro: Former California mainstay overpowered Laurel stakes rivals.
Con: Very good at sprinting, but nine furlongs is an entirely different ballgame.
Talkin breaking his maiden at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#11 Talkin *****
Pro: Beat Further Ado on debut and distant second in Champagne (G1).
Con: Wide draw seems to be the only serious drawback.
π£οΈπ¨οΈ Talkin gets up to win R6 at Saratoga at 9/1 for trainer Danny Gargan with @kendrickcarmou1 in the irons! pic.twitter.com/7Q89piPMxe
— TwinSpires Racing π (@TwinSpires) August 30, 2025
TwinSpires
#12 Probably Dreaming **
Pro: Dual stakes winner might appreciate return to two turns after Nashua third.
Con: Seemingly a cut below on class and post a major hurdle.
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