The Full Brother to the 2023 KY Derby Winner Makes His Mark
The 2024 KY Derby trail had a grade 2 test in the slop at Aqueduct over the weekend, and it did not disappoint. The 2023 Remsen Stakes showcased a couple of horses I previewed in my Remsen video last week. I was extremely high on both Dornoch & Sierra Leone coming into the race. One horse took to the lead & the other went to the rear.
Dornoch controlled the pace through a brisk 46.97 half mile, maintaining authority as they approached the three-quarter pole in 1:11.56, all the while with Billal right on his hip. As they rounded the turn and entered the stretch, Dornoch put Billal away, gaining a 3-length advantage. However, in his vigor to pull away, he veered too far inside, brushing the rail and unfortunately losing valuable momentum.
The Contrast in Styles on Display
The hiccup by Dornoch opened the door for a hard charging Sierra Leone to seize the lead mid-stretch. Veteran Jock Luis Saez was able to get Dornoch going again in time to make an epic come back which lead to a head bob photo finish. Dornoch wins by a nose!
As for the others in the race, let’s take a closer look. Private Desire, the Todd Pletcher colt, had drawn my attention due a previous lackluster performance. Despite my hopes that Pletcher would position him more favorably, Private Desire got off to a slow start once again. Hurried up on the pace, he found himself out of gas by the three-quarter pole and ultimately finished dead last. Where’s Chris encountered some trip trouble, and Domestic Product, though initially rating well, faltered before the stretch.
Help support BillyHoSports by making a small donation here
2023 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct: Hoist The Gold Stands Tall
Hoist The Gold is a horse that has been under my watchful eye throughout the year, consistently competing against top-class contenders. The anticipation was high as he entered the Cigar Mile, drawing post 11 with odds set at 8-1. Watch the preview video here.
He wasted no time in going for the lead by the opening quarter, he showed the way just off the inside of a pressing Pipeline setting swift fractions for the opening half mile. Returning to the track for the first time since a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), Hoist the Gold took command of the 12-horse field, with unyielding determination, he never looked back, securing an impressive 4 1/2-length victory.
Today’s Amazon Deals
