Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct, Dec. 4, 2021 (10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Mo Donegal, by Uncle Mo Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Owner: Donegal Racing Beyer Speed Figure: 89 MO DONEGAL successfully stretched out around two turns and just did edge ZANDON in a race that showcased two colts who look like promising prospects and six horses who have a long way to go. Mo Donegal and Zandon finished nearly 10 lengths in front of their rivals. It took a photo to decide who had crossed the wire first, and then Mo Donegal had to survive a stewards’ inquiry into the inexcusably wayward actions of Ortiz. A day after carelessly dropping Omar Hernandez Moreno – which could have killed Moreno – Ortiz allowed Mo Donegal to drift into a position where the slightest bump should have resulted in a disqualification, considering the narrow margin of victory. In addition, Ortiz threw exaggerated crosses to the point of interference. He and the rest of those connected to Mo Donegal are fortunate he stayed up. Regardless, though, it was a good effort, just an unnecessarily unsatisfying conclusion. In this race, Mo Donegal bumped with WHO HOO THATS ME, then used his inside draw to secure a good stalking position while saving ground just behind the leaders around the first turn. He stayed in that spot down the backstretch and into the far turn, had to idle in traffic midway on the far turn – which allowed Zandon to get first run on him – then was tipped four to five paths wide coming off the bend. He quickly reached Zandon just past the furlong grounds, then kept angling in and barely held off a game Zandon in the closing yards. His acceleration in upper stretch will serve him well going forward when he is in tight spots. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2022: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Zandon, who finished second, broke half a step slow, then advanced to be three paths wide into the first turn while stalking the leaders. He stayed in that spot down the backstretch while keeping Mo Donegal stuck inside, then was asked for his best midway on the far turn while three paths wide. He emerged with the lead from between rivals in upper stretch, was headed by the winner with 150 yards to go, but bravely battled back and just did miss while suffering from interference late. He galloped out in front of Mo Donegal. This was only his second start, following a debut win going six furlongs. To run this well of that brief a resume is impressive. MIDNIGHT CHROME, who was third, was just behind and outside pacesetter FROMANOTHAMUTHA around the first turn through moderate fractions, was hustled along three furlongs out to challenge in earnest for the lead, led narrowly with a quarter-mile to go, was unable to go with the top two passing the furlong grounds, but held off MR JEFFERSON to retain third. Mr Jefferson, who was fourth, was outrun heading into the first turn and wound up midpack while in the three path, behind Zandon. He seemed keen heading into the backside, but was under severe restraint, then finally was sent along early on the far turn while caught four paths wide. He couldn’t stay with Zandon coming off the bend, then went evenly late while unable to outfinish Midnight Chrome for third. He’s definitely a significant cut below the best, but considering how much speed he showed sprinting when beating maidens, it might be a good idea to try him again going two turns, against softer, and let him use that weapon. Rating him here was counterproductive. ELOQUIST, who was fifth, broke last, had no speed, and fell well back early. He was hustled along midway through the race, had little if any response, was strangely wheeled out widest of all coming off the final bend even though the inside remained a very viable option, was a little late changing leads, and passed a few tired rivals. :: Bet the races with confidence on DRF Bets. You're one click away from the only top-rated betting platform fully integrated with exclusive data, analytics, and expert picks. Who Hoo Thats Me, who was sixth, bumped with Mo Donegal leaving the gate, then raced between Mo Donegal and Mr Jefferson around the first turn while under a snug hold owing to traffic. He lost some ground heading down the backstretch, was sent along midway on the far turn but had little to offer, followed Mo Donegal coming off the bend, but continued to retreat despite being put to severe, in fact unnecessary, punishment at that stage. Fromanothamutha, who was seventh, broke sharpest and went for the lead while able to secure the rail. He continued to lead down the backstretch and to the far turn while setting even splits, but gave way readily before reaching the quarter pole. JUDGE DAVIS, who finished last of eight, was snugly rated early and was in front of only one horse into the first turn while appearing to resent the spray of dirt. He stayed in that spot down the backstretch, made a mild run early on the far turn while getting fanned wide, but was done before reaching the top of the lane, yielded, and was ridden sympathetically through the stretch. Maybe he didn’t like being outfitted with blinkers, but he was very disappointing.