Hollywood Derby (Del Mar) Predictions, Odds & Picks

Check out our predictions and odds for the 2020 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct!

Best Bets for the Remsen Stakes

Here are my plays ($40 in total)

$20 Win – Ten for Ten = $20

$5 Exacta key box – Ten for Ten with Brooklyn Strong and Erawan = $20

Top Pick:

Ten for Ten (3/1)

With plenty of rain expected in the New York area on Friday and Saturday, the racing surface at Aqueduct is expected to be an off-track for the Remsen Stakes, which offers 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner. Kentucky Derby 2021 qualifying points will be on the line Saturday at Aqueduct as a compact field of five vie for the top prize in the 9 furlongs Remsen Stakes.

The regally bred Known Agenda could wind up the favorite after breaking his maiden at Aqueduct last time, which followed a sharp second-place finish behind the highly regarded Highly Motivated in his career debut. The son of Curlin navigated the Remsen distance in breaking his maiden by ahead.

Chief among his rivals will be the top two from the recent Nashua Stakes. The winner, Pickin’ Time, a New Jersey-bred son of Stay Thirsty, and the runner-up, Ten for Ten, left the others in that field in their wake, while going a mile at Aqueduct four weeks ago.

Another who should attract plenty of support is Brooklyn Strong. A first-out winner at Delaware Park, the son of Wicked Strong finished third in his stakes debut before topping fellow New York-breds in Belmont Park’s Sleepy Hollow over a next out stakes winner.

How to Watch the Remsen Stakes

Race Analysis

Known Agenda

After a sharp second-place debut, this well-intentioned son of Curlin came back as the 3-5 choice for his second start while stretching out to 9 furlongs. The result was a victory, but he had to work hard to get the job done that afternoon at Aqueduct. I do look for improvement in his third career start, but he will need to run faster than the 1:55 4/5 he finished in last time against this bunch. He’s probably still learning, so given the off track, and the upgrade in competition, I believe he is a very beatable favorite in his stakes debut.

Pickin’ Time

The most experienced horse in the field has improved of late and comes into the Remsen off two consecutive stakes wins. Both came around one turn, though, and now he must prove that he can pass good horses going a route of ground. The Kelly Breen-trainee also benefited from sharp fractions last time, which are not as likely on Saturday. This time he will need to chase from his rail draw, and his task as one of the race favorites may not be as easy as he stretches out in distance. He’s already run in four stakes races, and the two-time stakes winner deserves respect, but I am going to try to beat him in here.

Ten for Ten

The $410,000 yearling purchase looked the part in his first two races with a nice rallying second in his debut at Saratoga, before running away from the field going 8 ½ furlongs at Belmont Park. That victory came in front running fashion over a sloppy track which should bode well for his chances on Saturday. Last time he was pressured through fast fractions, before succumbing late to Pickin’ Time. Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Shug McGaughey, he should have an easier time on the lead this time around, and with the expected wet track, he will likely be tough to catch. The son of Frosted is the top pick.

Brooklyn Strong

After breaking his maiden against maiden claimers at Delaware Park this son of Wicked Strong competed nicely in back-to-back stakes races against New York-breds at Belmont Park. First rallying for third in the Bertram Bongard, before his decisive victory in the Sleepy Hollow. That last victory was flattered when the horse he beat, Eagle Orb, came right back to win the Notebook Stakes at Aqueduct. If this one takes to the wet track, he figures to be finishing strongly on Saturday in his graded stakes debut.

Erawan

The Maryland based son of Rock Hampton was an upset winner of his career debut going one mile November 8 at Laurel Park, before coming from well back to fall just a half-length short two weeks later at the same track. He comes back again on short rest, but now takes on a much tougher assignment in New York. He’ll likely be toiling at the back of the pack early, but possibly could make some noise late if the leaders are struggling home the final furlong.