The Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack stands as one of the most pivotal two-year-old races in North America, signaling the final major test of stamina before the calendar turns to the all-important three-year-old season. This 1 1/8-mile test awards crucial qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, transforming promising juveniles into legitimate Triple Crown contenders overnight. We dive deep into this highly competitive field, scrutinizing the 2025 performances, powerful connections, and compelling Remsen Stakes odds for all twelve contenders, offering the insights necessary for successful Remsen Stakes betting this weekend.
The Remsen often identifies the colts best equipped to navigate the demanding distance and variable weather conditions of the late-season Aqueduct meet. Historically, champions like Mo Donegal, Dornoch, and Catholic Boy leveraged a victory or strong placing here into major Classic success the following spring and summer, cementing this race’s reputation as a proper proving ground. The US Racing handicappers analyze this field not just for talent, but for the fundamental staying power required to succeed on the Triple Crown trail. Savvy bettors who understand the intricacies of stretching out to nine furlongs find tremendous value when they bet on Remsen Stakes contenders demonstrating proper pedigree and grit.
Paladin enters the Remsen Stakes as the deserving 3-to-1 morning-line favorite, representing the elite combination of trainer Chad Brown and jockey Flavien Prat. This magnificent chestnut colt sold for a staggering $1.9 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, immediately placing an intense spotlight on his development.
His pedigree, being a son of Gun Runner out of a Tapit mare, screams two-turn success, suggesting he will only improve as the distances lengthen in the 2026 campaign. We saw his determination in a recent maiden race at Aqueduct in mid-October when he finished second across the wire, only to be elevated to first via disqualification after bumping in the stretch.
Trainer Chad Brown rarely pushes his two-year-olds prematurely. Still, he aims this $1.9 million prodigy straight to the graded stakes level, indicating serious confidence in the colt’s underlying talent and mental maturity. Brown specifically believes Paladin will relish the added ground of the 1 1/8 miles, confirming what his stout pedigree promises. Flavien Prat, who piloted the 2024 Remsen winner Poster, assumes the saddle, creating a formidable partnership that smart money is already targeting. Analyzing the Remsen Stakes odds, Paladin's price reflects both his massive potential and his current tactical advantage in a race that demands sustained effort over the challenging Big A track.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who seeks to equal the record for most Remsen Stakes victories, arrives with a powerful trio of entries, each offering a distinct approach to the race. Pletcher understands the nuances of Aqueduct and knows precisely how to prepare a two-year-old for the demanding two-turn test. His strategic placement of these three colts ensures Pletcher maintains control over the pace, a critical factor when handicapping the Remsen Stakes betting landscape.
Courting carries the heaviest price tag in the entire field, having topped the Keeneland September sale with an astronomical $5 million bid. This son of Curlin, a full brother to the Grade 1-winning mare Clairiere, has every right to appreciate the 1 1/8-mile distance. Courting broke his maiden on November 9 at Aqueduct in a gate-to-wire performance going the one-mile distance. While the 27-day turnaround is quick, Pletcher noted he was anxious to get the colt around two turns, believing the horse was "wanting to go two turns" based on his strong gallop-out.
Courting represents the primary speed threat for the Pletcher barn, and with the experienced John Velazquez aboard, who is tied for the most Remsen wins ever, he will likely attempt to control the pace early. If Velazquez can establish a moderate tempo, Courting could prove exceptionally difficult to reel in down the long Aqueduct stretch, significantly impacting the final Remsen Stakes odds. His maiden victory, while against only three rivals, demonstrated a professional, sustained speed that should translate well to nine furlongs.
Renegade, despite being a maiden, commands respect at 5-to-1 on the morning line, reflecting his undeniable talent and the powerful Irad Ortiz, Jr./Todd Pletcher coupling. The Into Mischief colt, a $975,000 yearling purchase, ran a tremendous race in mid-October, crossing the wire first ahead of Paladin. Still, stewards later disqualified him for interference, relegating him to second. That performance, where he stretched out from 6 1/2 furlongs to the mile distance, showed a strong late run and an apparent affinity for added ground.
Renegade possesses the kind of late kick that often thrives in the Remsen, a race where speed can falter in the deep, late-season footing. Out of the Grade 3-winning Curlin mare Spice Is Nice, his pedigree supports the distance demands of the Triple Crown trail. Pletcher indicates he expects a massive move forward as Renegade tries the full two turns, and Irad Ortiz, Jr., who won the 2021 Remsen with Mo Donegal, knows exactly when to unleash the colt's decisive closing move. Considering the intense competition in the Remsen Stakes betting pool, Renegade offers excellent value despite his maiden status.
Talkin brings Grade 1 credentials to the Remsen Stakes, having finished second in the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct in October. Trainer Danny Gargan has remarkably captured two of the last three Remsen renewals (with Dubyuhnell in 2022 and Belmont winner Dornoch in 2023), establishing himself as a true specialist in this race. Talkin, like those previous winners, is a son of Good Magic, suggesting he possesses the classic stamina Gargan targets. The trainer openly expressed his commitment to buying dirt horses bred to run long, and Talkin perfectly fits that successful blueprint.
While Talkin stretches out to two turns for the first time, his performance in the Champagne, where he overcame traffic trouble to finish second to a runaway pacesetter, demonstrated both resilience and talent. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche retains the mount, a significant advantage given his familiarity with the colt and the idiosyncratic nature of the Aqueduct track. His 5-to-1 odds in the Remsen Stakes are appealing given his Grade 1 form and his trainer's extraordinary success rate in this event. For serious handicappers exploring Remsen Stakes betting options, overlooking a Danny Gargan entrant in this race is historically a critical error.
Igniter holds a competitive 6-to-1 morning line for trainer Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., a conditioner well-known for preparing juveniles for success on the New York circuit. Igniter broke his maiden convincingly in his debut on September 27, defeating the highly-regarded Courting in the process. That victory, going a one-turn mile, showed an impressive turn of foot and the ability to sustain a run, marking him as a serious threat to the Pletcher entry. The stretch-out to 1 1/8 miles represents the next major challenge for this colt.
Manuel Franco, who guided Catholic Boy to Remsen glory in 2017, rides Igniter, providing the seasoned hand needed to navigate the complexities of a two-turn race for two-year-olds in December. The colt’s previous victory over a prominent rival from the Pletcher barn validates his class and speed figures, suggesting he owns the foundational talent to compete at this level. Bettors analyzing the Remsen Stakes odds should view Igniter as a strong alternative to the Pletcher and Brown favorites, as he already possesses a proven victory against high-quality opposition, giving him a distinct edge in experience.
I Did I Did, trained by Michael J. Maker and ridden by Joel Rosario, sits at 12-to-1 and represents a serious mid-range threat. Maker is a trainer celebrated for his ability to improve horses stretching out in distance and moving from maiden company to stakes company. While I Did I Did has kept a low profile in his initial 2025 starts, the connection with Joel Rosario, who won the 2020 Remsen aboard Brooklyn Strong, should not be ignored. Rosario is a master closer who can save ground and produce a winning move at precisely the right moment in the stretch.
This colt's recent works suggest he is peaking at the perfect time for this nine-furlong event. Maker typically targets races like the Remsen when he believes his juvenile possesses the necessary stamina foundation, often leveraging the fact that many rivals enter under-conditioned for the long distance. Placing a long shot as I Did I Did into your exotic wagers could prove highly profitable, making him a critical consideration when assessing the deeper pools of Remsen Stakes betting.
Balboa is one of only two horses in the field carrying the 122-pound weight assignment, signifying he has already won a non-restricted stake race, giving him a proven class edge over the maiden winners and maiden runners in the field. Trainer B. T. Russell places the talented Ricardo Santana, Jr. in the saddle, who boasts a Remsen victory from 2020. This combination suggests a prepared, seasoned contender ready to handle the pressure of graded stakes competition.
His current form in 2025 demonstrates consistency and a strong affinity for winning, a quality essential for any horse aspiring to the Triple Crown trail. The added weight, while slight, represents the challenge he faces against the lighter-weighted maiden winners who still offer unknown upside. However, Balboa offers a professional, measured approach, giving him a tactical advantage over the often-erratic nature of two-year-olds transitioning to two turns. For those seeking dependable talent in the Remsen Stakes odds, Balboa presents an interesting value proposition at 12/1.
Day One Starter, at 15-to-1, represents the esteemed barn of Hall of Fame trainer C. R. McGaughey III, who has a storied history in this race, including wins with Saarland (2001) and Honor Code (2013). McGaughey excels at developing classic-distance horses who often show their best form as three-year-olds. Day One Starter, ridden by Junior Alvarado, the 2015 Remsen winner aboard Mohaymen, possesses the quiet confidence of a colt being prepared for future stardom, not just a December victory.
While his 2025 performances may not jump off the page, his training suggests he is built for the 1 1/8 miles and beyond. McGaughey does not pressure his juveniles for early speed, preferring to let them learn to rate and finish strong. This approach often leads to massive improvements as the distance increases, making him a tempting inclusion when exploring the higher-value Remsen Stakes odds for multi-race or trifecta tickets. His 15/1 price tag could be a gift if he leverages his pedigree and his trainer's patient guidance.
Probably Dreaming, like Balboa, is assigned the higher 122-pound weight, confirming his status as a previous non-restricted stake winner. Trainer G. Capuano sends him to Aqueduct with an established winning habit, a crucial mental edge over maidens. Jockey C. E. Lopez handles the ride, a jockey known for aggressive, front-running tactics that can surprise the heavily favored horses in a tactical affair like the Remsen.
The primary question surrounding Probably Dreaming centers on the quality of his previous victories and his ability to translate that form to the deep New York dirt in this caliber of graded-stakes competition. At 15-to-1, he deserves respect as a proven winner, but handicappers should weigh his past company against the current field depth. His Remsen Stakes betting value lies primarily in capitalizing on his proven ability to win under pressure, a trait many maidens still lack.
Grittiness rounds out the Pletcher trio at 20-to-1, making him the trainer’s actual longshot play. Still a maiden, he finished second to his stablemate Courting on November 9 in a one-mile effort, showing enough late life to warrant a spot in this Grade 2 race. Pletcher adds blinkers for this start, a tactical adjustment signaling the trainer believes the colt needs more focus and aggression, a typical move for two-year-olds stretching out to two turns.
While Grittiness finished behind Courting, he got a substantial nine-furlong education in this spot. Jockey J. Rodriguez takes the mount, stepping in for the higher-profile riders. Pletcher often wins this race with his more heralded entries. Still, occasionally, a deep longshot like Grittiness can sneak into the superfecta, providing a gigantic payoff for those who are astute in Remsen Stakes betting.
Chambersville, sporting 30-to-1 Remsen Stakes odds, represents trainer Ken G. McPeek, a conditioner famed for his prowess with distance runners, particularly in the Triple Crown series. McPeek possesses a knack for having his horses peak in major two-turn events, even when they appear lightly regarded on the morning line. Chambersville offers massive upside based on his training and pedigree, which strongly suggests he will thrive over 1 1/8 miles, even if his 2025 form looks unremarkable.
Jockey C. Elliott gets the call, a rider who can patiently handle a large price runner and save every ounce of energy for the stretch drive. For those looking to bet on Remsen Stakes at the most generous prices, Chambersville offers the kind of hidden talent and developmental potential often found in McPeek’s shed row. He enters as one of the most intriguing longshots on the Aqueduct card, capable of exploding onto the Derby trail with a breakthrough performance.
Concarneau occupies the bottom of the board with 50-to-1 morning-line Remsen Stakes odds, hailing from the barn of M. K. Montoya. This colt needs a massive leap in performance and class to factor against this level of graded stakes competition. The Remsen often proves unforgiving to horses, requiring them to take a significant step up in quality and distance simultaneously. However, in horse racing, the longest odds usually yield the most memorable upsets.
Jockey M. J. Sanchez has the task of guiding this outsider, needing to pull off a miraculous trip to even hit the board. While his inclusion speaks to the hope of his connections, Concarneau requires extreme patience from bettors. He represents the kind of longshot that should only feature in the deepest horizontal wagers, but his presence reminds us that every horse has a chance when they enter the starting gate.
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This year’s Remsen Stakes presents a classic showdown between the high-priced, high-profile talent of Chad Brown’s Paladin and the battle-tested strategic depth of Todd Pletcher’s trio, particularly Renegade and Courting. We also cannot discount Danny Gargan's established dominance over Talkin. The combination of Paladin's flawless pedigree for distance and his trainer's confidence at 3/1 makes him a logical favorite. Still, the overwhelming presence of three Pletcher entries, coupled with Gargan's historical edge, creates a complex Remsen Stakes betting puzzle.
Success in the Remsen Stakes betting hinges on identifying the horse that handles the stretch to 1 1/8 miles most efficiently, and Courting, Renegade, and Talkin all possess compelling arguments for doing so. I advise focusing wagers on Paladin and Courting in exactas and coupling them with the experienced runner Talkin.
For those looking for value, Day One Starter and I Did I Did offer attractive Remsen Stakes odds and powerful connections capable of delivering a significant upset. Do not miss this crucial opportunity to bet on Remsen Stakes action and solidify your bankroll as the Road to the Kentucky Derby heats up.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
