Tipsheet: 2025 Remsen Stakes

A full and well-matched field of 12 juveniles will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s ultra-competitive, $250,000 Remsen S. (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis. 

Remsen Stakes Picks

• #2 Paladin
• #9 Renegade
• #11 Talkin

Remsen Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #2 Paladin
• $5 exacta box 2-9-11
• 50-cent superfecta 2 with 1,9,11 with 1,9,11 with all 

Remsen Stakes Contenders

#1 DAY ONE STARTER: Upstart colt was a sharp maiden winner two back prior to finishing a distant third in the Nashua S. in his most recent offering. Shug McGaughey trainee has posted a trio of solid morning moves in advance of his two-turn debut, and I expect the Kentucky-bred to improve with Junior Alvarado in the irons. 

#2 PALADIN: Top pick was elevated to first in his debut offering, going one mile on the course on Oct. 17 for Chad Brown, and I think that the son of Gun Runner is a really nice prospect. The chestnut colt earned a 100 Brisnet Late Pace rating in his unveiling and gives the impression of a youngster that will thrive with additional distance going forward. Top pilot Flavien Prat retains the ride. 

#3 I DID I DID: Exotics contender from the barn of Mike Maker made a nice middle move before tiring late when fourth in the Street Sense S. (G3) at Churchill last time out. The bay son of Curlin has displayed steady progression this campaign and will be in the running for a share late with another step in the right direction beneath Joel Rosario. 

#4 GRITTINESS: The first of three from the Pletcher shedrow is a maiden after a trio of lifetime tries and will have blinkers on for the initial time in this spot. The Curlin two-year-old has yet to prove that he is capable of upsetting a field of this nature, and while I fully respect the barn, I can’t include the youngster on this occasion. 

#5 CHAMBERSVILLE: Twirling Candy juvenile was a smart winner on the grass at Keeneland last time and will move to the main oval for the initial time on this occasion. Kenny McPeek pupil is a winner at nine furlongs and has trained well on dirt, so he’s surely one to consider at a nice price under Christopher Elliot. 

#6 COURTING: The $5 million yearling purchase was professional, graduating in his second career appearance for Pletcher. The son of Curlin is a full-brother to a four-time Grade 1 star, and the March foal can surely improve in his initial try going two turns, as well. Regular pilot John Velazquez will guide the chestnut. 

#7 IGNITER: Three Chimneys homebred hasn’t done much wrong from a pair of career runs to date in advance of his stakes debut. Richard Dutrow pupil was a measured maiden winner on the course in his latest venture, and the Volatile chestnut could appreciate the move to 1 1/8 miles in this tilt, too. Manny Franco will ride the top-three contender. 

#8 CONCARNEAU: An outsider in the group was 27 lengths back in a recent allowance heat at Laurel Park and can’t be endorsed against this lineup. 

#9 RENEGADE: The $975,000 son of Into Mischief rallied into a moderate pace to cross the wire in first, only to be taken down to second, in a fine maiden effort last time out for Pletcher. The January foal showed vast improvement after his first run and is a prospect who appears to have a bright future. His 104 Brisnet Late Pace rating at eight panels suggests that the move to 1 1/8 miles will be to his benefit with Irad on board. 

#10 BALBOA: Bay son of Not This Time was a facile sprint stakes winner in Maryland in his first race since moving to the barn of Brittany Russell in advance of his local bow. The $875,000 yearling buy has a good foundation and very good early foot, and the Kentucky-bred could be sent from the break to attempt to lead the cast at every call. Ricardo Santana, Jr. will take the reins. 

#11 TALKIN: Good Magic colt has registered two very good races to begin his career and has to be considered despite drawing wide. The $600,000 yearling purchase, who defeated an excellent group on debut prior to checking in second in the Champagne S. (G1), seems well-suited to handle two turns for the first time on Saturday. Kendrick Carmouche will be in the irons atop the win threat. 

#12 PROBABLY DREAMING: Gary Capuano trainee suffered his first setback when a clear second in the Nashua S. most recently. The son of Improbable is a question mark at the distance, and the outside post in this sizable group is a daunting spot, but the chestnut is obviously talented and could grab a share with improvement beneath Lopez.