Since its first appearance in 1904, when Francis Hitchcock's 2-year-old colt Dandelion crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of three other juveniles in the Remsen Handicap at Jamaica Racecourse, the stakes has threaded its way into the fabric of the 2-year-old racing calendar.
Through time, its placement in late fall and its two-turn distance have made the Remsen a fulcrum for juveniles as they seesaw from sprints to longer distances.
Certainly a review of past winners in its 106-year history shows a wealth of winners that have gone on to win classics and/or year-end championships—horses such as Phalanx, Victoria Park, Carry Back, Northern Dancer, Damascus, Key to the Mint, and Pleasant Colony.
One of the best to fall into this category is 1994 winner Thunder Gulch.
Peter Brant, who has lately reentered the racing scene with such runners as Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) victor Sottsass and 2018 champion turf female Sistercharlie, bred Thunder Gulch in Kentucky. A son of champion sprinter Gulch (Mr. Prospector) out of the Storm Bird mare Line of Thunder, Thunder Gulch was a small, powerfully built chestnut with a kite-shaped star and an interrupted snip.
A $40,000 Keeneland July yearling, Thunder Gulch was a $120,000 RNA at the Keeneland April juvenile sale. Given time to mature, he debuted at Belmont Park for Mutual Shar Stable in mid-September, finishing third in a six-furlong maiden special weight. In early October he won a Belmont maiden race at six furlongs before finishing second in the seven-furlong Cowdin Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. Following a fourth-place finish in Aqueduct's Nashua Stakes (G3) at one mile in November, he changed hands, moving from the barn of John Kimmel to trainer D. Wayne Lukas and the ownership of Michael Tabor. They were quick to capitalize on the progress they had seen in the promising colt at sprint distances.
Thunder Gulch's first appearance under the blue and orange silks of his new owner was the Nov. 26 Remsen Stakes (G2) at nine furlongs.
Under new jockey Gary Stevens, Thunder Gulch faced a field of nine rivals, most of whom were also testing a longer distance for the first time. Favoritism fell upon Laurel Futurity (G3) winner Western Echo. Mighty Magee, the runner-up in the Nashua, was the co-second choice with Thunder Gulch.
Employing his usual running style from well behind the vanguard, Thunder Gulch was well behind the pace of Western Echo. Stevens urged his mount to improve his position, and with three furlongs remaining Thunder Gulch had moved to fourth, some two lengths shy of Western Echo and Mighty Magee. With less than an eighth of a mile to run, Western Echo maintained his lead over a determined Thunder Gulch, who, despite lugging in during his stretch drive, tapped into his determination to post a neck victory.
Although he lost the Hollywood Futurity (G1) to Afternoon Deelites, Thunder Gulch had sown a seed of classic triumphs in the dreams of his connections. And what a dream it became.
The Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) paved the way to the Kentucky Derby (G1), where he laid waste to 18 sophomores. A loss to stablemate Timber Country in the Preakness Stakes (G1) segued to wearing the carnations at Belmont. A quick cross-country trip to California landed the Swaps Stakes (G2) before he returned to Saratoga Race Course for a Travers Stakes (G1) victory. He then added the Kentucky Cup Classic Handicap at Turfway Park.
Despite losing the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), which ended a four-race winning streak, Thunder Gulch earned championship honors for 3-year-old male in 1995.
