Trainer Danny Gargan is preparing Grade 1 finisher Tokin for the $250,000 Remsen Stakes, a nine-furlong Grade 2 race for young horses at Aqueduct Racecourse this Saturday. Tokin is aiming for his third victory in four starts. The Remsen Stakes offers points to the top five finishers (10-5-3-2-1) toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in May.
Gargan has previously won the Remsen twice, with Dubunel in 2022 and Dornoch in 2023—a son of Good Magic, like this year’s favorite, Tokin. Dornoch’s narrow win over Sierra Leone set him up for major future successes, including wins in the Belmont Stakes, NYRA Bets Haskell (G1), and Fountain of Youth (G2). Gargan noted his admiration for Good Magic as a stallion, valuing horses that perform well on dirt and over longer distances.
Tokin, owned by several partnerships including Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Legendary Thoroughbreds, debuted with a commanding win over notable rivals like Stradale and Father Add at Saratoga. His trainer emphasized waiting for today’s performance to see how he handles longer races. Under jockey Kendrick Carmouche, Tokin recently placed second in the one-turn mile G1 Champagne Stakes, earning valuable Kentucky Derby points and preparing for the challenge of his first two-turn race.
Bred by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock and purchased for $600,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Tokin comes from a strong lineage, including Grade 1 winner Magnificent Song and graded stakes performers Great Barrier Reef and Galileo’s Song.
Also competing is Paladin, owned by a group led by Mrs. John Magnier, who won his mile debut at Aqueduct after a tight finish with Renegade, trained by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Renegade, a filly disqualified from second place in a previous race, is another notable contender, along with Coating and Grittyness, both showing promising performances.
The Remsen Stakes is part of an exciting 11-race card featuring other graded races such as the G2 Cigar Mile and the G2 Demoiselle, all offering points for the Kentucky Derby or Oaks. The Aqueduct fall meet is broadcast live on FOX Sports, with betting conveniently available through NYRA Bets nationwide.
Fan Take: This race highlights emerging stars with the potential to shape the future of American horse racing, especially with the Kentucky Derby points on the line. Fans should watch closely, as performances here could define the next generation of elite competitors and bring thrilling new storylines to the sport.
