Nice Guys Stables' Where's Chris, last-out winner of the Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, will look to double up on stakes scores in the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) there Dec. 2. The 1 1/8-mile dirt race for juveniles offers 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., who won the 2008 Kentucky Derby with Big Brown , said he is not averse to doing a little Derby dreaming should Where's Chris impress Saturday.
"I like dreaming as much as anybody. If he runs big, we can keep dreaming. Why not?" he said.
The Twirling Candy dark bay outdueled pacesetting Book'em Danno to post a three-quarter-length win in the one-turn mile Nashua Nov. 5. It was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Billal, who also returns in the Remsen for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
Where's Chris, a $20,000 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training purchase, stalked and pounced to a five-length score on debut in September during the Belmont at the Big A meet in a restricted six-furlong maiden tilt. He followed with an even third-place finish in an off-the-turf edition of the six-furlong Futurity Stakes Oct. 8 during the same meet.
"That was a nice little spot for him and he ran big that day," said Dutrow of the maiden score. "We really don't know what his best game is because he ran big that day and he ran big last time. Even in his second race, he ran a good race.
"I know we're trying two turns for the first time—which we're not afraid of—he's just doing good, and he's been doing good for a while now," continued Dutrow. "So, we'll just hope that he's looking for two turns."
Where's Chris is out of the multiple graded stakes-placed turfer Sea Queen, who won the 1 1/8-mile Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont Park in 2014 ahead of a runner-up effort in the 1 1/4-mile Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T).
"We seem like we have a lot to look forward to here, especially that we're seeing he's showing up on the dirt which we were surprised by," Dutrow said. "So, we can't wait to try him on the grass one day."
Isaac Castillo retains the mount from post 8.
Dutrow has enjoyed a successful return to training this year, banking more than $5.2 million through a record of 102-22-16-16 led by grade 1 victories from C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable's White Abarrio in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course and the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
White Abarrio has remained at Santa Anita and is pointed to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 24 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
"He's doing great. I was with him (Nov. 29). He's happy as can be, and so are we," Dutrow said.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
