High expectations for Mo Town in Remsen

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Had things gone according to plan, trainer Tony Dutrow would simply be a spectator of Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Remsen Stakes. Instead, Dutrow and his 2-year-old Mo Town will be watched closely by his competition and racing fans in the 1 1/8-mile dirt race at Aqueduct.

Mo Town, a seven-length maiden winner at a mile at Belmont in September, and Takaful, an impressive debut winner sprinting at Belmont in October, stretch out in distance and make their stakes debuts in an intriguing renewal of the Remsen. The Remsen offers its top four finishers qualifying points (10-4-2-1) toward next May’s Kentucky Derby.

Dutrow had planned to run Mo Town in the Nashua here on Nov. 4 and then stop on the colt until next year. But Mo Town had a sore gluteal muscle that forced him to scratch from the Nashua, and the Remsen became the next objective.

Mo Town did not miss much training time, and his breezes leading up to the Remsen have Dutrow looking forward to the race. Dutrow trains Mo Town for his own Team D Stable and the Coolmore connections of Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, who purchased a partial interest in the Uncle Mo colt following his maiden win.

“Our camp, like everybody, I’m sure, is really looking forward to seeing what our horse is capable of because we don’t think we’ve seen his best by far yet,” Dutrow said.

John Velazquez rides Mo Town from post 8 in the field of 10.

Kiaran McLaughlin won the Remsen last year with Mohaymen, who had won a maiden race and the Nashua beforehand. On Saturday, McLaughlin sends out Takaful, who dazzled observers in an Oct. 29 maiden win at Belmont, winning by eight lengths in a fast time of 1:15.82 for 6 1/2 furlongs.

“It’s a big step up in distance and class,” McLaughlin said. “He can handle the class, for sure.”

No Dozing comes off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, which was won by Classic Empire, who came back to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. No Dozing breaks from post 9 under Daniel Centeno.

Hookup is coming back 18 days after a sharp four-length debut win going a mile. Completing the field are You’re to Blame, Newman, Lead Astray, Win With Pride, Tellmeafookystory, and Tale of Silence.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mo Town, by Uncle Mo

Beyers: 84-76

◗ Off a step slowly and bumped twice early when finishing a good second to Reckling at Saratoga in his debut.

◗ Came back with a seven-length maiden win at a mile when hand-ridden by Velazquez.

◗ Has been working sharply for this.

Takaful, by Bernardini

Beyer: 92

◗ The time of his maiden win was 2.10 seconds faster than that of Leading Astray, who won the other division of that race on the same card and is back in this field.

◗ Gets Lasix for the first time.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: In the last five years, McLaughlin is 4-1-3 with 13 starters running on Lasix after winning a race without Lasix. That includes Mohaymen, who won this race last year, and Frosted, second in this race in 2015.

No Dozing, by Union Rags

Last 3 Beyers: 81-69-72

◗ Won his first two starts sprinting at Laurel before being beaten four lengths by Classic Empire in the Breeders’ Futurity with a bit of a wide trip.

◗ In addition to Classic Empire winning the BC Juvenile, the Futurity’s fifth-place finisher, Gunnevera, won last weekend’s $1 million Delta Jackpot.