The $250,000 Grade 2 Remsen Stakes stands as Aqueduct's second crucial stop on the 2025 Kentucky Derby trail. With seven juveniles lined up to contest this 1 1/8-mile event, it offers qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis to the top five finishers. No Remsen hero has gone on to win the Kentucky Derby since the mid-nineties, yet last year's winner, Dornoch, and 2021's winner, Mo Donegal, both triumphed in their respective Belmont Stakes. Catholic Boy, the 2017 Remsen winner, also achieved success in the Travers (G1) as a 3-year-old.

Field Analysis

Tux (3-1)

Normally conservative trainer Bill Mott sends Tux directly to the Remsen after his impressive debut last month. Breaking quickly and showing professional racing, Tux took over in mid-stretch and opened up a significant lead. His pedigree suggests he'll enjoy the distance, and with Junior Alvarado in the saddle, he's a contender. Trained by Bill Mott, Tux debuted a winner in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden event at Aqueduct on Nov. 9. Mott has a solid record with runners stretching out from a sprint to a route, and Tux's performance in his debut earned an 82 Equibase speed figure. This will be just his second start and first at a two-turn route, and Mott's confidence in him speaks volumes.

Aviator Gui (6-1)

Aviator Gui returns to dirt after a mediocre turf performance. In his second start, he had zero early speed but showed good stretch running. His pedigree gives him beautiful leg extension, and he stretches his body out while running. Trained by Chad Brown, Aviator Gui has had a mixed career so far. He was third on debut and then won at second asking on the off-the-turf at Belmont. However, his performance in the 1 1/16-mile Awad Stakes on the turf was disappointing. Brown is 14% with a 54% in-the-money rate with turf-to-dirt runners, and Manny Franco retains the mount.

Poster (5-1)

Undefeated on turf, Poster takes his first spin on the dirt. His class is questionable as only two of his 13 returning rivals won their next start. His pedigree indicates he should handle the dirt, but only one of his three half-siblings won on dirt at the claiming level. Trained by Eoin Harty, Poster is perfect in two starts on the turf and has shown promise. Harty is 9% with a 55% in-the-money clip with turf to dirt runners, and Flavien Prat takes over from Rafael Bejarano.

Studlydoright (9-2)

Studlydoright lost all hope at the start of the Hopeful (G1) but has consistently won or placed in five starts and is the only graded-placed runner in the Remsen. By Nyquist, he is the first competitor and stakes winner out of a stakes-winning turf router. Typically a closer, he showed a new dimension as a pace-presser in the Nashua stakes. Trained by John Robb, Studlydoright has had only one bad race in his career and has won in the 5 1/2-furlong Tremont Stakes and the one-mile Nashua Stakes. He already has a win over the Aqueduct track and posted a career and field best 95 Equibase speed figure. Regular rider Xavier Perez retains the mount.

Keewaydin (6-5)

Keewaydin easily dispatched four rivals in his second start, showing excellent late pace. By Instagrand out of a daughter of Officer, he is half to two multiple stakes placed sprinters. His pedigree suggests a sprinter-miler orientation, but he will be stretching out for the first time. Trained by Chad Brown, Keewaydin was third on debut and then won in his second start. None from that race have made subsequent starts and-or won. This will be his first attempt at two turns, and Brown is 22% with a 62% in-the-money rate with sprint to route runners. Dylan Davis gets the return call.

Surfside Moon (20-1)

Surfside Moon is still figuring out his racing style. After a victory on the Delaware lawn, he had an excuse in the Laurel Futurity and then finished a disinterested sixth in the Awad Stakes. By Malibu Moon out of Crescent Lady, who is half to multiple stakes-winning miler Make Mischief, Surfside Moon should handle the extra distance. Trained by James Lawrence II, he has had a mixed bag of results but has shown potential. According to Race Lens, Lawrence is 10% wins with a 30% in-the-money rate in graded stakes over the last five years. Kendrick Carmouche retains the mount.

Gun Trader (30-1)

Gun Trader discovered the Parx winner's circle in his sixth start but has a unique gait that may be a concern. By Tom's d'Etat out of a Galileo half-sister, his pedigree has strong turf influences. Trained by Uriah St. Lewis, Gun Trader has raced exclusively at Parx and Delaware and finished fifth in his debut. In his last start, he won with a new tactic but did not improve his Equibase speed figures. St. Lewis is 5% wins with a 17% in-the-money clip in graded races over the past five years, and Francisco Martinez retains the mount.Final thoughtsAshley: Overall, this is not a particularly exciting field. It's hard to envision any of these seven making it to the starting gate at Churchill Downs in May, but there's still time for them to grow and mature. What intrigues me is that three of the seven entrants are coming off a turf race. Aviator Gui was fourth in the Awad Stakes, Poster won a one-mile allowance race, and Surfside Moon was sixth. I like Poster as a long shot, and Tux seems like a good candidate to test the graded-stakes waters. Studlydoright and Keewaydin also have potential, with Studlydoright having a strong speed figure and Keewaydin entering with the best Brisnet Speed Rating.Laurie: Over the last 15 years, every Remsen hero had two to four previous starts and finished in the top four. Six last-out maiden winners have captured the Remsen, and most gained ground in their previous race. Studlydoright is a standout with tactical speed. Aviator Gui should love the extra distance on the dirt. The fact that a last-out maiden winner is 3-1 shows the field's weakness. Tux showed promise in his debut and is worth a look in the exotics. Although Ashley likes Keewaydin, I'm eyeing Surfside Moon as a long shot.SelectionsAshley: 4. Studlydoright (9-2), 5. Keewaydin (6-5), 3. Poster (5-1), 1. Tux (3-1), 1. Tux (3-1), 6. Surfside Moon (20-1)Laurie: 4. Studlydoright (9-2), 2. Aviator Gui (6-1), 3. Poster (5-1), 1. Tux (3-1), 6. Surfside Moon (20-1)