Expert Pick of the Week: Remsen Stakes

Dec 03, 2020 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A compact field of five will travel 9 furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Remsen (G2). The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top-four finishers with qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 10-4-2-1 structure.

I have liked what I have seen from Known Agenda from a pair of lifetime starts to date for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The chestnut son of Curlin graduated on the track and at the distance last time out, and he is the Expert Pick of the Week.

The St. Elias homebred debuted on September 27 in a 6 1/2-furlong dash at Belmont Park and finished a very good runner-up while well clear of his nearest foe. Returning on November 8 at Aqueduct at 1 1/8 miles, the Kentucky-bred moved to challenge the leaders nearing midstretch and was game to the wire in posting a head victory beneath Kendrick Carmouche. He earned a hefty 104 Brisnet Late Pace figure in the process as well.

Known Agenda is out of a classy Grade 1 heroine who adds stamina to his pedigree, and the 1 1/8 miles that he will run on Saturday is well within his scope too. He shows two solid morning drills in preparation for his stakes debut, and the top prospect also picks up go-to pilot John Velazquez.

The Shug McGaughey-trained Ten for Ten finished second best in the Nashua (G3) most recently and is eligible for improvement in his second try with graded company. The $410,000 yearling purchase has shown considerable early foot since stretching out in distance, and if the son of Frosted can harness some of his pace, then he will be a dangerous commodity inside the final furlong with Jose Ortiz taking the reins.

An exacta with #2 Known Agenda on top of #5 Ten for Ten is the Best Bet of the Week.