Avery Island drills for Remsen
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Avery Island, convincing winner of the Grade 2 Nashua here Nov. 5, worked four furlongs in 47.50 seconds Friday morning over Belmont Park’s training track in preparation for a start in next Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes for 2-year-olds at Aqueduct.
Avery Island, working outside of the 4-year-old colt Tathqeef, went his opening quarter in 23.43 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.11.
“He worked well and looked good doing it,” said Joe Lee, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
Avery Island is the third McLaughlin trainee in the last five years to win the Nashua and run back in the Remsen. In 2013, Cairo Prince was beaten a nose in the Remsen. In 2015, Mohaymen won both races. Lee said he and McLaughlin are very much looking forward to trying Avery Island at 1 1/8 miles in the Remsen.
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“I’m sure the boss is because he’s a big galloping son of a gun,” Lee said. “I think the longer the better for him, with that big old stride. He seemed to just be leveling out down the stretch of that last race.”
Entries for the Remsen will be taken Wednesday. Others expected include Alkhaatam, Catholic Boy, Tap Rap Strike, and V.I.P. Code. Possible starters include Biblical, Evaluator, Marconi, Vouch, Triple Dog Dare, and one horse from Dale Romans, who nominated Bandito, Seven Trumpets, and Storm Runner.
