Horse Racing Preview: Remsen Stakes Top Contenders

by Patricia Woo | Nov 22 2010

The 2011 Kentucky Derby may be months away yet, but horse bettors will be able to get an early look at some of the hopefuls in the Gr. 2 Remsen Stakes on Saturday, Nov. 27, including Curlinello, Bandbox and To Honor and Serve. This 1 1/8 mile race for 2-year-olds offers a $200,000 purse and will be held at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Edward Evans, Curlinello is a 2-year-old colt looking for his first stakes victory. He broke his maiden at first asking at Saratoga on Aug. 21 and followed up with two runner-up performances going 1 mile at Monmouth Park: the Garden State Stakes in September and the Seton Hall University Stakes in October. Lightly raced, this son of Smart Strike has shown an ability to rally when asked in his first three races, which will serve him well in the Remsen Stakes. Curlinello will be looking to add to his $64,000 in career earnings on Saturday; he turned in a 4-furlong breeze timed in 48.27 at Belmont Park on Nov. 21 in preparation.

Unbeaten in three starts is Bandbox, a 2-year-old colt trained by Rodney Jenkins. This colt has already shown versatility in his short career: he broke his maiden on the turf at Laurel Park on Aug. 8 before going on to win the Charles Town Juvenile Stakes by an incredible 9 ½ lengths over the dirt track at Charles Town Races. He then captured the Sleepy Hollow Stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 23 by a 1 ¼ lengths despite a stumble at the break. Bandbox has earned $133,680 so far for owners Hillwood Stable; the Tapit colt posted a 1:42.00 1-mile breeze at Laurel Park on Nov. 15.

To Honor And Serve is another exciting prospect for the Remsen Stakes. A son of Bernardini trained by Bill Mott, To Honor And Serve is riding a two-race win streak, including a graded stakes win. He broke his maiden at second asking on Oct. 2 at Belmont Park and then won the Gr. 2 Nashua Stakes, a 1-mile race at Aqueduct on Nov. 6 by an easy 4 lengths. He has been in training at Belmont Park, turning in a 3-furlong breeze in 37.06 on Nov. 16; owners Live Oak Plantation will be looking for him to add to his current total of $144,640 in earnings.

Others possible for the Gr. 2 Remsen Stakes are Mountain Man (runner-up in Champagne Stakes) and Mucho Macho Man (second behind To Honor and Serve in the Nashua Stakes).

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