Juveniles look to close out season in style in Remsen, Demoiselle

December 10, 2019

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Racing fans hoping for a glimpse of some of next year's 3-year-old stars can do so Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack when 22 promising juveniles gather for the 100th running of the Grade 2, $400,000 Remsen and its sister race, the Grade 2, $400,000 Demoiselle for fillies, which will be run for the 93rd time.

The Remsen and Demoiselle, both at 1 1/8 miles, are part of an exciting 10-race card that also features the Grade 1, $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap and the Grade 3, $400,000 Comely. First race post time is 12 noon.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will be well-represented in both races as he goes for his third career Remsen win and fourth straight victory in the Demoiselle.

In the Remsen, Pletcher will saddle Eric Fein's homebred stakes winner Ostrolenka and Starlight Racing's Royal Burgh, who is coming off a maiden win going 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland Race Course. Grade 1 winner Angela Renee will carry the stable's hopes as the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the Demoiselle.

Ostrolenka, a New York-bred son of Musket Man, finished seventh over a sloppy track in his first outing, then put together a 14 ½-length maiden win followed by a dominating victory in the Sleepy Hollow on Empire Showcase Day, both at a mile at Belmont Park.

"He's shown he can run any distance - he's been very impressive - and he has not missed any training since his last race, so we're pretty confident in moving him into open company and stepping up," said Byron Hughes, Pletcher's assistant. "Royal Burgh came out of his maiden race [on October 22 at Keeneland] in good order, and there's no reason why he can't step up here."

Ostrolenka drew post position 12 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, and sits at 4-1 on the morning line. Royal Burgh, with Jose Lezcano riding from post position 6, was tabbed at 12-1 on the morning line.

Kiaran McLaughlin will be sending out a pair as well in recent maiden winner Classy Class, a four-length victor first time out on October 25, and the Remsen favorite, Frosted, a 5 ½-length maiden winner on October 30 at the Big A.

"For Classy Class, it's a lot to ask to go from 6 ½ furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, but most of the horses in there have only won once," noted McLaughlin's assistant, Art Magnusson. "He's a very nice colt, and if we're going to run, he couldn't be training any better. Frosted will be making his fourth start, and we're excited about him running."

Javier Castellano will be aboard Classy Class, 7-2 on the morning line, when he leaves from post position 11. Frosted, who finished second in his first two starts, will have the services of Irad Ortiz Jr., when he leaves from post position 14 at 3-1 on the morning line.

Rounding out the field for the Remsen are the Mark Casse entry of Flashaway, second in an optional claimer last time out, and Moonlight Bandit, who broke his maiden on October 26 at Churchill Downs; the Chad Brown-trained entry of Market Conduct, second to Ostralenka in the Sleepy Hollow, and recent maiden winner Leave the Light On; the Dale Romans-trained duo of Keen Ice, most recently fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland Race Course and the maiden Thirtysevenliveson; along with Combat Diver, Bodhisattva, Eh Cumpari, and The Truth Or Else.

Angela Renee, who carries the colors of Siena Farm, enters the Demoiselle off a 10th- place finish as the favorite in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Prior to that, the Bernardini filly had been no worse than third in four starts, winning the Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita Park on September 27, finishing third behind winner Condo Commando in the Grade 1 Spinaway and second in the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga, and breaking her maiden on June 27 at Belmont.

"She came back from the Breeders' Cup and has been training well and eating well," said Hughes. "There doesn't seem to be any real reason for what happened - she was bumped at the start, but it was more that she just didn't fire that day."

John Velazquez will ride Angela Renee from post position 7.

Like Angela Renee, Condo Commando is looking to rebound from a disappointing effort, having finished fourth as the 4-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Frizette after taking her first two starts by a combined margin of 25 ¼ lengths.

"She's such a good horse - she's been training well, so we are hopeful she will come back and run well," said Rudy Rodriguez, who trains the Tiz Wonderful filly for Michael Dubb.

At 5-1 on the morning line, Condo Commando will leave from post position 6 with Joel Rosario riding.

Rounding out the field are Grade 3 Tempted heroine Jacaranda, the second choice at 7-2 on the morning line, and Maid of the Mist winner Quezon, 5-1, along with My Cara Mia, Calamity Kate, Save Rock and Roll, and Gap Year.

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