Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct, Dec. 2, 2017 (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Catholic Boy, by More Than Ready Trainer: Jonathan Thomas Jockey: Manny Franco Owner: Robert LaPenta Beyer Speed Figure: 91 CATHOLIC BOY impressed in this, his first start on dirt after three grass races, winning as much the best. He is a colt I was particularly taken with the week of the Breeders’ Cup when seeing him in person at Del Mar, as he trained sensationally before not getting the cleanest of trips in the Juvenile Turf. I’m not sure how much depth there was to this race, but I do like this colt a lot. He’s a handsome, eye-catching colt who should improve as he grows into his frame. As good as he is now, there’s every indication he will be better next year, and that makes him one to put on the short list of top Kentucky Derby contenders that currently is headed by the likes of Good Magic and Bolt d’Oro. In this race, Catholic Boy broke well and then went into the first turn between runners while in the second flight of horses behind the leaders. He appeared eager to advance when turning into the backstretch but responded to Franco’s commands and waited, then advanced quickly when asked three furlongs out. He got to the leaders in a flash, and Franco let him sit anew midway on the far turn. Franco looked about for competition near the quarter pole, a sign he had plenty of horse under him, and that was confirmed moments later when Catholic Boy was set down for the drive. He immediately opened a daylight lead in upper stretch, and was never in danger thereafter. :: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays AVERY ISLAND, who was second, broke sharpest and went into the first turn in the two path while vying for the lead. He was restrained by Joe Bravo near the end of the turn to fall into an ideal stalking trip in third, behind two dueling leaders, and then when VOUCH ranged up outside him he seemed to settle down a bit better. He had to wait just a bit in traffic early on the far turn, was roused turning into the lane, didn’t have the immediate acceleration of Catholic Boy, but did finish steadily to gain the place. Vouch, who was third, was caught four paths wide into the first turn, advanced to vie for the lead while widest of three down the backstretch, was urged midway on the far turn to try and stave off the onrushing Catholic Boy, could not go with the winner in upper stretch while drifting in and lost second in deep stretch to Avery Island. This wasn’t a bad race at all for a horse only making the second start of his career, but he’s by Yes It’s True, so this distance might be at the very outer limit of what he can handle. ALKHAATAM, who was fourth, checked slightly shortly after the start and then trailed the field into the first turn. He continued to trail down the backstretch, then was angled to the outside and began his rally while four paths wide on the far turn. He made decent progress on the turn, but only passed tired rivals in the lane while swapping over to his wrong lead at midstretch. He was closer to the winner at the quarter pole than he was at the wire, but this was only his second start, and he’s still a maiden, so the fact he was put in this spot by very sensible connections tells you they believe there’s more there. TAP RAP STRIKE, who was fifth, stumbled badly leaving the gate, went into the first turn near the rear while three paths wide, advanced while in the five path into the far turn, was near the hip of Catholic Boy about five-sixteenths out, swung into the lane four paths wide, then ducked in and out when put to pressure late while appearing to tire. He, too, was only making the second start of his career. BIBLICAL, who finished sixth, lacked early speed and raced near the back of the pack while saving ground around the first turn, raced between runners in the two path entering the far turn, was asked aggressively three furlongs out, but had little response and pretty much went evenly through the lane while never threatening. MILLIONAIRE RUNNER, who was seventh, vied for the early lead while three paths wide into the first turn, battled with BANDITO for the lead down the backstretch, put away Bandito three furlongs from home, but began to weaken when challenged by Catholic Boy and Vouch turning into the stretch and then faded. TRIPLE DOG DARE, who was eighth, saved ground while in the second flight of horses just behind the leaders around the first turn, was asked aggressively to hold his position with a half-mile to go, but could not keep up and dropped out of it. V. I. P. CODE, who was ninth, bobbled slightly leaving the gate, raced three paths wide while mid-pack around the first turn, followed Catholic Boy into the far turn while three paths wide but was badly outrun thereafter and only beat a horse who was basically eased. Bandito, who finished last of 10, used his inside post and good early speed to take the lead into the first turn, vied with Millionaire Runner down the backstretch, started to weaken three furlongs out, faded quickly near the quarter pole and was ridden sympathetically through the lane.