Takaful points to Remsen

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Takaful, an impressive eight-length debut winner at Belmont on Oct. 29, is expected to make his next start in the Grade 2, $300,000 Remsen at Aqueduct on Nov. 26, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

“We’re stuck – nowhere else to go, “ McLaughlin said. “We’re heading that way. We wish we could have run him a month earlier and run in the Nashua.”

In his debut, Takaful ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.82, which was 2.10 seconds faster than Lead Astray ran in winning the other division of the same maiden race.

McLaughlin noted that going from 6 1/2 furlongs to the 1 1/8 miles of the Remsen “is a big step, but he is very talented.”

“We’ll learn from it and see how we do getting him to rate,” he said.

Among others from the 22 nominees considered definite for the Remsen are Mo Town, Newman, Win With Pride, and You’re To Blame.