McLaughlin eyes redemption in Remsen

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin admits that Cairo Prince’s narrow loss to Honor Code in last year’s Grade 2, $400,000 Remsen Stakes took a little longer than normal to get over.

“Because we thought we were best,” McLaughlin said.

On Saturday, McLaughlin will have two chances to erase that memory when he sends out Classy Class and Frosted in the 101st Remsen at Aqueduct. The Remsen, run at 1 1/8 miles, is for 2-year-olds, and the top four finishers earn qualifying points (10-4-2-1) toward next year’s Kentucky Derby.

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The Remsen drew a field of 14, though trainer Mark Casse said Thursday he will run only Moonlight Bandit and scratch Flashaway, who will run in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Classy Class and Frosted are two of 11 horses in the Remsen who have only a maiden win. Thirtysevenliveson is still a maiden.

Both Classy Class and Frosted will have to overcome outside draws, with Classy Class in post 10 and Frosted on the outside in post 13.

Ostrolenka, one of two horses entered by trainer Todd Pletcher, is the lone stakes winner in the field, having taken the Sleepy Hollow for New York-breds. He’s parked in post 11.

Pletcher also will send out Royal Burgh, a maiden winner going two turns at Keeneland.

KEY CONTENDERS

Classy Class (Beyer: 88)

◗ This son of Discreetly Mine ran very professionally in his debut, sitting chilly under Irad Ortiz Jr. while Dark Moon opened up seven lengths on the rest of the field. Classy Class then cruised by that rival under his own power before needing a couple of taps of the whip to draw off.

◗ He must stretch out from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles.

“He won very impressively,” McLaughlin said. “It’s not ideal going from a 6 1/2-furlong maiden to a mile-and-an-eighth Grade 2, but we think he’s that type.”

◗ With Ortiz riding Frosted, Classy Class gets a switch to Javier Castellano, who is winning at a 40 percent clip for this barn (6 for 15).
Frosted (Last 3 Beyers: 89-84-61)

◗ After finishing second while sprinting in his first two starts, Frosted stretched out to a mile and rolled to a 5 1/4-length victory over this track Oct. 30.

“He improved from his first run to his second run and from his second run to his third run,” McLaughlin said. “He knows what his job is. He’s training more on the bridle and more focused. His last work was great.”

◗ His work tab is littered with bullet moves, not something you ordinarily see from McLaughlin-trained runners.

◗ He gets Lasix for the first time, a highly successful move for McLaughlin.

Ostrolenka (Last 3 Beyers: 89-90-70)

◗ New York-bred is 2 for 2 going a mile on fast tracks after losing his debut in the slop sprinting at Saratoga.

◗ This has been the target for him since the 2 1/2-length win in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes on Oct. 18, which came three weeks after a 14 1/2-length maiden score.

“He was very impressive going a mile, then came back kind of quick to run another good one,” Pletcher said. “We feel a mile and an eighth will suit him very well. He’s trained very well since the Sleepy Hollow.”

Market Conduct (Last 3 Beyers: 83-69-70)

◗ A son of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, this New York-bred ran a respectable third behind Ostrolenka in the Sleepy Hollow.

◗ He is coupled in the wagering with Leave the Light On, a maiden winner going long over a sloppy Belmont main track Oct. 16.