Shotski pulled a bit of an upset in the GII Remsen S., leading every step of the way at odds of 8-1. The bay went straight to the head of affairs, ticking off opening splits of :24.26 and :50.08 with 22-1 shot Prince James (Tiznow) hot on his tail. That rival turned the pressure up a bit on the backstretch, but Shotski shook him off entering the far turn and began to roll clear. Ajaaweed tried to run down the pacesetter in the lane, but unfurled his long stride a little too late to get the win, closing the gap to a neck at the wire before galloping out in front. It was the first graded stakes victory for trainer Jeremiah O'Dwyer.
“We discussed beforehand and Adam [Wachtel, co-owner] is great with analysis and we found that we might be on the front end which we didn't mind,” O'Dwyer said. “He's a very laid back horse so I knew he would relax with no problem. Luis [Saez] said that he did everything right. He doesn't do any more than he's asked, but when you ask him he's there for you.”
As for winning his first graded stakes, the conditioner said, “It's unbelievable, it's really overwhelming. I'm just so blessed to have owners like Adam, Gary [Barber] and other stables that buy into horses we have and leave them with me. It gives me, as a young trainer, confidence in myself. Our other owner, Mike Karty, gave us a leg up and gave us money to go to the sale and buy young horses.”
Shotski showed turf was not for him when finishing 10th in his Kentucky Downs unveiling Sept. 5 and rebounded with a four-length graduation when switched to the main track at Laurel Oct. 3. He was fourth last time when stretching to a mile in the Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs Oct. 27.
Pedigree Notes:
Shotski is the 27th black-type victor and 15th graded winner for Blame. His dam she Cat is a half-sister to GSW Palmeiro (Pleasant Tap) and MSW Slews Final Answer (Seattle Slew), who produced MGSW & GISP Dynaslew (Dynaformer). The 11-year- old mare is also the dam of GSP Colonist and, more recently, a filly by California Chrome. She Cat did not produce a foal this year, but was bred back to Bernardini.
Saturday, Aqueduct
REMSEN S.-GII, $250,000, Aqueduct, 12-7, 2yo, 1 1/8m, 1:54.24, ft.
1–SHOTSKI, 118, c, 2, by Blame&log=">Blame
1st Dam: She Cat, by Bluegrass Cat
2nd Dam: Fortune Pending, by Fortunate Prospect
3rd Dam: Things Pending, by Vigors
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($25,000 Ylg
'18 FTKOCT). O-Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable &
Mike Karty; B-Springland Farm & Prime Bloodstock LLC (KY);
T-Jeremiah O'Dwyer; J-Luis Saez. $137,500. Lifetime Record:
4-2-0-0, $167,222. *1/2 to Colonist (Pioneerof the Nile),
MGSP, $230,234. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ajaaweed, 118, c, 2, Curlin–Asiya, by Daaher. O-Shadwell
Stable; B-Shadwell Farm, LLC (KY); T-Kiaran P. McLaughlin.
$50,000.
3–Chase Tracker, 118, c, 2, Verrazano–Nutmeg, by Lemon Drop
Kid. ($67,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP). O-St. Elias Stable; B-Marcuzzi
Thoroughbreds Inc (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $30,000.
Margins: HF, 3 3/4, 6 1/4. Odds: 8.80, 4.10, 5.10.
Also Ran: Informative, Prince James, Alpha Sixty Six, Cleon Jones, Forza Di Oro, Amends. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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