Pickin' Time (Stay Thirsty) upset the GIII Nashua S. on his last visit to Aqueduct Nov. 8 and he looks to double up Saturday when he returns to Ozone Park for the GII Remsen S. A debut winner at Monmouth July 4, the Jersey-bred was a non-factor eighth in the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 7, but was second next out in the Sapling S. back in the Garden State Sept. 6. The dark bay scored a narrow winner in the Smoke Glacken S. at the Jersey Shore Sept. 26 prior to his Nashua victory last time.
Nashua runner-up Ten for Ten (Frosted) romped by eight lengths when extended to two turns in his second start in the slop at Belmont Oct. 16. Favored in the Nashua, he led most of the way, but was run down late by Pickin' Time.
“He worked in :48 and change and went fine,” conditioner Shug McGaughey told the NYRA notes team. “We're on the right track. He acts like he's a pretty nice horse. It will be interesting seeing him go a mile and an eighth. He's quick so we'll see how he does on Saturday. He should be able to place himself well.”
Todd Pletcher saddles a live runner in St. Elias Stable homebred Known Agenda (Curlin). Second to next-out Nyquist S. winner Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) in his 6 1/2-panel career bow at Belmont Sept. 27, the chestnut broke through net out when extended to nine furlongs at the Big A Nov. 8.
“I was actually surprised he ran as well as he did sprinting, but it helped him a lot for his maiden win,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He's designed to run longer. He's had two good efforts so far.”
Native New Yorker Brooklyn Strong (Wicked Strong) looks to take the next step up Saturday. A first-out winner in a $40,000 maiden claimer at Delaware Sept. 12, the gelding was third in the state-bred Bertram F. Bongard S. Oct. 2 and captured the NY-bred Sleepy Hollow S. next out Oct. 24 at Belmont.
Rounding out the field of five is Erawan (Rock Hampton), a debut winner at Laurel Nov. 8. He crossed the line fourth, but was promoted to third next out there in a Nov. 22 optional claimer.
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