Zandon heads eight-horse Remsen

Dec 01, 2021 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be up for grabs in
Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct, and impressive debut winner Zandon is the likely favorite among
eight runners.

As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, the 1
1/8-mile Remsen will award points on a 10-4-2-1 scale to the top four
finishers.

Zandon rallied to win going away when making his first start
in a Oct. 9 maiden special weight at Belmont Park, netting a commendable 88
Brisnet Speed rating for the 1 1/2-length decision. Joel Rosario retains the
mount on the promising Upstart colt, and Chad Brown is excited to see the dark
bay stretch out in distance.

“He ran one time going six furlongs and he won, but I’ve
always thought of him as a pure route horse,” Brown said. “The fact that he was
able to go three-quarters, I was quite impressed. I thought he would’ve been a
late-running horse that would have needed a start, but he won. I was quite
impressed by that because I don’t think that’s what he wants to do at all.”

Mo Donegal
stretched to turns and convincingly broke his maiden when making his second
start for Todd Pletcher on Oct. 21, scoring by 1 1/2 lengths, and the $250,000
Uncle Mo colt received a 91 Speed figure. Campaigned by Donegal Racing, Mo
Donegal will look to rally from just off the pace with Irad Ortiz Jr.

Nashua S. (G3) third-placer Judge Davis, a maiden winner two back when stretching out to a
route, adds blinkers for Shug McGaughey, and Jose Ortiz will be back up. Who Hoo Thats Me, third in the Oct. 30
Sleepy Hollow S. for New York-breds, will try open competition for Jorge Abreu.
Trevor McCarthy picks up the assignment. 

Eloquist invades
from Parx for Butch Reid after a sharp maiden win, and last-out Laurel Park
allowance/optional claiming scorer Mr
Jefferson is also part of the mix for Michael Trombetta.