Remsen

A field brimming with promise will contest Saturday’s $200,000 Remsen S. (G2)
at Aqueduct. Historically a valuable guide to the following year’s Triple Crown
trail, this year’s renewal looks likely to produce one or two very interesting
Kentucky Derby (G1) prospects.

With no shortage of early pace, the Remsen figures to set up for the closer
best suited to taking advantage of the situation. As the only runner proven at
the 1 1/8-mile trip, and indeed the only entrant who’s even attempted the
distance, FAGAN’S LEGACY (Monarchos) is appealing at generous 12-1 morning line
odds. From the first crop of 2001 Kentucky Derby hero Monarchos, Fagan’s Legacy
is bred to relish the classic distance. After the gray colt posted a sharp
five-length score in a Monmouth Park maiden in his second start, trainer Kelly
Breen wasted no time in throwing him into stakes company. In the nine-furlong
Pilgrim S. that was taken off the turf and run instead on Belmont’s main track,
Fagan’s Legacy made an explosive move to seize command and draw off, winning by
3 1/4 lengths while gearing down. Despite being well in hand, he still earned a
92 BRIS Late Pace and Speed figure. His stride was a vision of silken power, and he gave
every impression of genuine class. Joe Bravo, who has yet to lose on this
juvenile, returns to the saddle.

BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat), the 7-5 morning line favorite, enters the Remsen
off an impressive score in the Nashua S. (G3). The Todd Pletcher trainee
garnered a BRIS Speed rating of 101 for the Nashua, the best last-race figure of
this group, despite having an eventful trip that day. This colt has an
impeccable pedigree to boot, being a half-brother to 2005 Grade 3 victor Lord of
the Game (Saint Ballado), out of a full sister to graded stakes winners
Daydreaming (A.P. Indy) and Accelerator (A.P. Indy). He should stalk the
pacesetters and turn in another rock-solid performance under John Velazquez.

Another beautifully-bred colt, PEGASUSBYSTORM (Fusaichi Pegasus), deserves
consideration at 8-1. Like Fagan’s Legacy and Bluegrass Cat, he is also
two-for-three lifetime. In his last start, the bay juvenile captured the 1
1/16-mile Storm Cat S. at the Meadowlands despite pressing the pace while wide.
Trained by Michael Matz, this grandson of 1994 Canadian Horse of the Year Alywow
(Alysheba) should handle the extra distance. Jose Caraballo keeps the ride.

FLASHY BULL (Holy Bull) just broke his maiden in his fifth start, but his
form is actually better than that bare fact might suggest. In his prior race, he
went down by a neck to Political Force (Unbridled’s Song), who subsequently
finished second to Bluegrass Cat in the Nashua. The Kiaran McLaughlin charge had
previously acquitted himself admirably behind the likes of Private Vow (Broken
Vow), later victorious in the Futurity S. (G2), and the highly regarded Stonesider (Giant’s Causeway). Cornelio Velasquez will be aboard this colt for
the first time.

CONGO KING (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), fourth in the Nashua after being bumped at
the start, turned in a bullet three-quarters in 1:12 for trainer Richard Dutrow
Jr. This colt is eligible to improve considerably off his first stakes
experience, especially considering that was only his second career start. It may
be significant that Jerry Bailey picks up the mount.

IMMERSED IN GOLD (Seeking the Gold) has not threatened the winner in either
of his two previous stakes attempts. But this colt is truly bred in the purple,
being a half-brother to hot young sire Stephen Got Even, and he has not shown
his best yet. With maturity, and a route of ground, he could be a different
proposition. Javier Castellano will ride for trainer John Kimmel.

PARK AVENUE PRINCE (Siphon [Brz]) exits a six-length allowance victory at
Delaware Park in which he earned a 93 BRIS Late Pace rating, tops in this
field. The winner of two of four lifetime races, he has been training sharply at
Fair Hill for conditioner Steve Klesaris. In another potentially informative
jockey maneuver, Garrett Gomez has taken the call in this one’s stakes bow. PARKHIMONBROADWAY (Ecton Park) has been chasing Sharp Humor
(Distorted Humor) in a pair of
stakes restricted to New York-breds. Although he has never been off the board in
five starts, the Michael Hushion-trained juvenile is likely facing tougher foes
in open company here. Pablo Fragoso takes the reins.