The Grade 2 Remsen Stakes stands out among stakes races for two-year-olds on dirt. It is the sole graded opportunity beyond 1 1/16 miles for juveniles. This presents a unique test that requires obvious talent to stretch around one turn to 1 1/8 miles. Keewaydin, with a fast maiden win when stretching out to seven furlongs in career start number two, seems poised to take on this challenge on Saturday at Aqueduct.

Trainer Chad Brown's Impact

One of the positives for Keewaydin is his trainer, Chad Brown. Last year, he finished second in this race with Sierra Leone and has shown an ability to stretch out classic-type horses. He trains Keewaydin for OXO Equine, which bought the Instagrand colt as a weanling for $140,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November breeding stock sale. This indicates Brown's expertise in handling such horses and gives Keewaydin an added advantage.

Controlling the Race with Jockey Dylan Davis

Based on Brisnet Pace Ratings, Keewaydin has the potential to control this race early if jockey Dylan Davis chooses. In his maiden win, he pressed the pace. However, with the stretch out here, gate-to-wire tactics could also be a viable option. Fair odds are 3-5, and it is a horse that one would only look to oppose if bettors went overly enthusiastic at 1-5 or 2-5. This shows the strategic considerations involved in this race.

Studlydoright's Challenges and Potential

Studlydoright has faced a lot of trouble in his six-race career, with "bobbled start," "hit gate," and "fanned six wide" all in his running lines. But with a pedigree by Kentucky Derby-winning champion two-year-old male Nyquist and two-time horse of the year Curlin, this one figures to appreciate the stretch out as much as anyone. A step forward after a long 2-year-old campaign is no easy feat, but price-wise, if Keewaydin goes too low, Studlydoright could end up being the more attractive play. Either way, the exacta of Keewaydin and Studlydoright is worth keeping an eye on.