2013 Remsen Stakes; Can Noble Moon Rise Above The Rest?

2013 Remsen Stakes (GII); Can Noble Moon Rise Above The Rest?

The 2013 Remsen Stakes (GII) is set to take place this Saturday, November 30, 2013. The race is run annually near the end of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The race is for 2 year-olds going 1 1/8 mile on the dirt offering a purse of $400,000. SEE UPDATED RESULTS

Inaugurated in 1904, the Remsen was named for Colonel Joremus Remsen (1735-1790) whose family at one time owned a large portion of Long Island and who became a leader of the American Revolutionary forces at the 1776 Battle of Long Island.

Run at the Jamaica Racetrack from inception in 1904 to 1959, it was run in two divisions in 1943 and until 1954 was known as the Remsen Handicap. The Remsen stakes is influential as one of the last graded stakes on the New York circuit and its winner is usually among the favorite for the following year’s Kentucky Derby. The speed record for this race is held by Believe It and set in 1977 at 1:47 4/5.

The 2013 Remsen Stakes is the 9th race of the day with a start time of 3:49 pm, EST.

There are some very interesting and great horses here. I always find it hard with the 2 year-olds to figure out their next race, so here goes. I really like Cairo Prince and will be rooting for him all the way to the Kentucky Derby; however, in this race, I think Noble Moon can turn the tables for a win.

The Leah Gyarmati trained Noble Moon is out of the sire Malibu Moon who has been sending some bombs to the track this past year. He started his career with his speed-ball run all the way in his six-furlong maiden win. He won by three-quarters of a length and showed a lot of heart leaving his competition behind. Noble Moon was sent off as a long-shot in his second start in the Nashua Stakes on November 3rd at Aqueduct going a mile on the dirt. He was bumped solidly at the start and had to adjust by storming from last to just missing with a third place finish, despite running 6 wide around the final turn. With a better trip here from the rail, yes I said the rail, he will have less ground to make up and with a different end to the story, this race could finish up in his favor with a better trip. Noble Moon recently worked one mile at Belmont breezing 1:44.07, 1/1 on November 23 and exits gate #1 with A. Solis in the irons.

Cairo Prince is the son of Pioneer of the Nile/Holy Bubbette/Holy Bull, another of my favorite sires, and is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. A super impressive colt that also has only two lifetime starts, and is undefeated. He broke his maiden going 6F at Belmont by 2 3/4 lengths and won the one-mile Nashua Stakes defeating Noble Moon by 2 3/4 lengths. He’s got an evil turn-of-foot at the top of the stretch. Cairo Prince most recently breezed 5F in 1:01.08 6/21 on November 23rd. He gets post #9 with L. Saez up to ride.

My longshot pick here is Wicked Strong from the sire Hard Spun and trained by James Jenkens. He has raced twice with a win and second both at Belmont. Last out he broke his maiden at Belmont on October 26 where he contested the pace as he ran widest of the trio at the start and took the lead in the stretch to win. He recently breezed 5F in 1:01.29 1/3 at Belmont. Wicked Strong gets R.Maragh in the saddle and breaks from lucky #7.

I think Noble Moon has a good draw here and he is my pick to win the 2013 Remson Stakes. He has a ton of natural speed and if this race turns out paceless, the rail these days is the place to be as going two-turns should be no ground loss. If Solis grabs the lead or sits off of Cairo Prince and he is within one or two lengths of the lead or on it first turn, I doubt he gets beat and can turn the tables on Cairo Prince. These two horses are my top two picks with Wicked Strong to tag along. Good luck to the boys today and their connections. Happy Hoofs’!

2013 Remsen Stakes Post Positions & Odds
1. Noble Moon 6/1 A.Solis/L.Gyarmati
2. Master Lightning 15/1 J.Lezcano/T.Pletcher
3. Afleet Accompli 20/1 I.Oritz Jr./K.Breen
4. Honor Code 9/5 J.Castellano/C.R.McGaughey III
5. Mental Iceberg 30/1 G.Rodriguez/G.DiPrima
6. Matuszak 15/1 J.Alvarado/W.Mott
7. Wicked Strong 8/1 R.Maragh/J.A.Jerkens
8. Intense Holiday 8/1 J.Rosario/T.Pletcher
9. Cairo Prince 2/1 L.Saez/K.McLaughlin
SEE UPDATED RESULTS