The runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile will try to rebound Saturday in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.
Also on the calendar are points races for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks: the Remsen (G2) and Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct and the Starlet (G1) at Los Alamitos.
Here is an early look at the early fields for this weekend's graded stakes, all on Saturday.
Cigar Mile (G1), Aqueduct, 1 mile, 3-year-olds and up
Ginobili finished second to the formidable Life is Good in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Before that, he beat C Z Rocket in the Pat O'Brien (G2). Code of Honor could be making his last appearance here; he is scheduled to stand at Lane's End next year. In his last start, he finished second in the Fayette (G2), 7 1/4 lengths behind Independence Hall, who also is expected here. Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Aloha West had been under consideration to start here, but owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners ruled him out, according to BloodHorse.
2021 Cigar Mile (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code of Honor Noble Mission | C. McGaughey III |
| Probable | ||||
| Ginobili Munnings | R. Baltas |
| Probable | ||||
| Ny Traffic Cross Traffic | S. Joseph, |
| Probable | ||||
| Snapper Sinclair City Zip | S. Asmussen |
| Possible | ||||
| Independence Hall Constitution | M. McCarthy |
| Probable | ||||
| Dennis' Moment Tiznow | D. Romans |
| Possible | ||||
| Olympiad Speightstown | W. Mott |
| Probable | ||||
| Plainsman Flatter | B. Cox |
| Possible | ||||
| Following Sea Runhappy | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Americanrevolution Constitution | T. Pletcher |
| Probable |
Remsen(G2), Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles, 2-year-olds
Zandon graduated on debut at Belmont Park on Oct. 29. Overstep, an Into Mischief colt, was beaten by a half-length in the Oct. 30 Sleepy Hollow after graduating on debut. Third in that race was Who Hoo Thats Me, also expected here. This race offers 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
2021 Remsen (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zandon Upstart | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| Who Hoo Thats Me Keen Ice | J. Abreu |
| Probable | ||||
| Overstep Into Mischief | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Unbridled Bomber Upstart | J. Ryerson |
| Probable | ||||
| Eloquist Nyquist | R. Reid |
| Probable | ||||
| Mr Jefferson Constitution | M. Trombetta |
| Probable | ||||
| Mo Donegal Uncle Mo | T. Pletcher |
| Probable |
Demoiselle (G2), Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles, 2-year-old fillies
Magic Circle finished second by a half-length in the listed Tempted Stakes at Belmont with Nest a neck behind in third. Magic Circle was fourth in the Frizette (G1) after breaking her maiden on debut. Tap the Faith rallied to win by a head in her only other start, a maiden special weight at Belmont on Nov. 7. This race offers 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.
2021 Demoiselle (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Curlin | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Magic Circle Kantharos | R. Rodriguez |
| Probable | ||||
| Tap The Faith Tapit | C. Clement |
| Probable | ||||
| Venti Valentine Firing Line | J. Abreu |
| Probable | ||||
| Distinctlypossible Curlin | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| Full Count Felicia War Front | C. Summers |
| Probable |
Go For Wand (G3), Aqueduct, 1 mile, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
The New York Racing Association listed only four probables for this contest, and they all are 4-year-olds who won their last races. Sharp Starr won last year's edition of this race by a neck. Bella Vita has made nine starts this year, with three wins and three seconds.
2021 Go For Wand Handicap (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp Starr Munnings | H. DePaz |
| Probable | ||||
| Bella Vita Bayern | S. Callaghan |
| Probable | ||||
| Truth Hurts Tonalist | C. Summers |
| Probable | ||||
| Lady Rocket Tale of the Cat | B. Cox |
| Probable |
Starlet (G1), Los Alamitos, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-old fillies
Grace Adler won her first two starts, including an 11 1/4-length score in the Debutante (G1), before a fifth-place finish in the Chandelier (G2). Eda, fifth in the Debutante, won both of her starts since then. This race offers 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.
2021 Starlet (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Adler Curlin | B. Baffert |
| Probable | ||||
| Eda Munnings | B. Baffert |
| Possible | ||||
| Dance To The Music Maclean's Music | M. Glatt |
| Probable | ||||
| Elm Drive Mohaymen | P. D'Amato |
| Probable |
Probables were not available for the Valedictory (G2) at Woodbine, a 1 1/2-mile contest for 3-year-olds and up.
