Shotski takes Remsen to give O'Dwyer first graded win

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After analyzing the field for Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct, part-owner Adam Wachtel asked trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer if he would mind if Shotksi was on the early lead in the 1 1/8-mile race.

“I said we wouldn’t,” O’Dwyer said. “I have a lot of faith in the horse. He’s a very laid-back horse, so I knew he’d relax on the front end no problem.”

Shotski was sent to the lead by Luis Saez, was able to set modest fractions over a slow-playing track, opened up a 3 1/2-legnth lead in midstretch, and held off Ajaaweed to win the Remsen by a half-length.

“He’s got the right demeanor for racing,” O’Dwyer said. “He doesn’t do any more than he’s asked, but when you ask him he’s there for you.”

Shotski gave O’Dwyer his first victory in a graded stakes race. He also gives him his first horse to put on the Kentucky Derby trail. By winning the Remsen, Shotski earned 10 qualifying points toward the May 2 Kentucky Derby.

“He got a mile and an eighth, that’s a big deal,” said Wachtel, who, along with Gary Barber, bought into Shotski following the colt’s maiden win at Laurel on Oct. 3.

In his first start for Wachtel and Barber, Shotski finished fourth in the Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs on Oct. 27. He finished three-quarters of a length behind third-place finisher Silver Prospector, who came back to win the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs on Nov. 30.

Shotski was entered in that race, but scratched due to the large field and likelihood of a wet track.

Saturday, Shotski just had to deal with a slow track. Breaking from post 6, Saez hustled Shotski to the front, wresting the lead from Chase Tracker and Prince James. The latter stalked Shotski through six furlongs in 1:15.19 before Shotski put him away. Informative and Chase Tracker tried to make a run at Shotski, but he ran away from those two.

Ajaaweed, seventh under Joel Rosario, moved into second at the eighth pole and closed the gap to within a half-length at the wire.

Shotski, a son of Blame, owned by Wachtel, Barber, Mike Karty, and Gary Pantofel, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.24 and returned $19.60 to win.

Ajaaweed finished second by 3 3/4 lengths over Chase Tracker. Informative, Prince James, Alpha Sixty Six, Cleon Jones, Forza Di Oro, and Amends completed the order of finish.

Shotski was to return to Laurel, where O’Dwyer has the bulk of his hoses stabled. He also has five at Fair Grounds. O’Dwyer said he and Wachtel will discuss where Shotski will be based as he prepares for the Triple Crown trail.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was happy with Ajaaweed’s performance, especially coming off his fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity.

“He finished strong, he made a good run, just missed,” said McLaughlin, who will take Ajaaweed to Florida for the winter.