Your complete guide for the 2025 Remsen Stakes. This analysis covers the full field for Aqueduct’s 1 1/8-mile Derby prep where 2-year-olds battle for 10 Kentucky Derby points. Get a horse-by-horse analysis, pedigrees, pace setup, and more for the contenders on the 2026 Kentucky Derby trail. In this video, I evaluate every horse in the 2025 Remsen Stakes field, their trainers, strengths, risks, and the storylines that make this year’s Remsen so compelling.

🐎 2025 Remsen Stakes Field & Horse-by-Horse Preview

#1 Day One Starter — Trainer: Claude McGaughey Pedigree? Check. Aqueduct experience? Check. Speed rating? Also check. But after weakening and regressing last time out, Day One Starter will need to live up to his name — and start fresh — if he wants to be in the Derby conversation.

#2 Paladin — Trainer: Chad Brown His pedigree screams Kentucky Derby, and he’s already proven his talent with a strong Aqueduct win. Paladin enters like the knight of this field, but the question is: will he defend his rising reputation at 1 1/8 miles?

#3 I Did I Did — Trainer: Mike Maker A gritty runner with heart, but stretching out to this demanding distance is the real test. Will “I Did I Did” become “I Can I Can”… or is the extra ground a bridge too far?

#4 Grittiness — Trainer: Todd Pletcher He’s still a maiden, but don’t count him out — this is the kind of spot where true “grittiness” gets tested. With blinkers added, he might finally dig in and show the fight his name suggests.

#5 Chambersville — Trainer: Kenny McPeek The only horse in the field who has run this 1 1/8-mile distance — but it happened on the turf. Chambersville gets the mileage badge, but now must prove he can translate travel experience into dirt success.

#6 Courting — Trainer: Todd Pletcher Purchased for $5 million, Courting arrives with expectations taller than the Aqueduct grandstand. The talent is there — but he must improve his speed figures to court Derby attention.

#7 Igniter — Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr. Igniter brings the fire early with serious speed, but the question is whether that flame holds or flickers in the final furlong. Can he ignite a Derby dream, or will the distance cool him off late?

#8 Concarneau — Trainer: Marya Montoya A trier with heart, but too light on speed to match this group. Concarneau will need a career-best performance to stay competitive. For now, this one looks like a pass.

#9 Renegade — Trainer: Todd Pletcher Renegade brings late punch, pedigree, speed, and valuable Aqueduct experience — fitting for a horse who likes to write his own rules in the stretch. From post 9, he’ll need a smart trip, but his finish makes him dangerous.

#10 Balboa — Trainer: Brittany Russell The classiest horse in the field, but his best speed has come at shorter distances. Balboa is the seasoned fighter stepping up in rounds — the question is whether he hits as hard going longer.

#11 Talkin — Trainer: Danny Gargan Aqueduct experience? Yes. High speed ratings? Yes. A G1 runner-up and a win over Further Ado? Yes. Distance pedigree + one of the strongest late kicks if the pace heats up? Absolutely. Talkin is a top contender… but starting this far outside means he’ll have to overcome extra ground to make the conversation go his way.

#12 Probably Dreaming — Trainer: Gary Capuano Three straight wins, a prior Aqueduct placement, and a pedigree by Improbable that suggests he can get the distance. But he’s light on speed figures and must overcome the outermost post. If he keeps dreaming big, he’ll need to take the long way home.

This year’s Remsen Stakes is a true stamina exam for young talent — and a pivotal early stop on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby.

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