Shotski won't be 'one dimensional' on Kentucky Derby 2020 trail

Shotski, who broke sharp and never looked back to pass his first two-turn test in Saturday's Remsen Stakes (G2), earned a career-best 86 Beyer Speed Figure for his front-running win over well-regarded Ajaaweed at Aqueduct.

With the victory, trainer Jeremiah O'Dwyer picked up his first graded-stakes win with the colt campaigned by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, Pantofel Stable and Blue River Investment Partners.

"It was a great day," said O'Dywer. "This horse is not one dimensional. He can run from behind or go to the lead as he proved yesterday. We studied the race as best we could and opted to let him break good and see where he wants to be placed.

"He's an easygoing horse," continued O'Dwyer. "He just coasted along there and when the horses came to him, he kept pulling out. He opened up a nice lead midway down the stretch and was a little leg weary getting to the line, but a mile an eighth is a long way for 2-year-olds this time of the year. I'm very proud of him."

In victory, Shotski earned 10 qualifying points toward the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

O'Dwyer credited Luis Saez, who partnered Maximum Security to a front-running victory one race later in the Cigar Mile, with a sharp ride.

"I gave Luis free rein," said O'Dwyer. "He did a super job. At three-and-a-half out, he gave him a little niggle but he was just making sure he had him there when he needed him. They're the top riders in the country up there in New York. Luis just hand rode him most of the way and I like riders that hand ride as much as they can and not just rely on the stick. Luis really grabbed a hold of the horse and helped him along to the line."

O'Dwyer said Shotski will be nominated to both the $150,000 Jerome Stakes at a mile on January 1 and the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers at nine furlongs on February 1 at the Big A. Both races offer 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the Top 4 just like the Remsen.

"There's plenty of these 3-year-old races around the country and I'm not afraid to ship," O'Dwyer said. "The horse is a good shipper and traveler. We're happy to take him to whatever may be the most suitable spot for him. I think there's more to come from him and hopefully he'll continue to develop and be a lovely 3-year-old."

Shotski, a bay son of Blame, graduated at second asking when sprinting six furlongs on the Laurel Park main track on October 3 and followed up with a fourth in the Street Sense at one mile on October 27 at Churchill Downs.

O'Dwyer said Shotski, who shipped home to his Laurel base Saturday night, came out of the win in good order.

"He jogged up sound and ate up last night. He's full of himself here this morning," said O'Dywer. "I'd like to give him five to six to six weeks after that race if we could. We'll let the horse do the talking. I don't like to train them off the paper; I like to train them off what I see in the morning. I'll let him tell me how he's feeling."