REMINGTON PARK – One of the premier races of the season for juveniles, the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes offers a lucrative $300,000 purse, sweetened with an additional $30,000 from the Oklahoma Bred Program. Contested over one mile on dirt, this race not only draws top-tier two-year-olds from across North America—it also offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points and automatic nominations to the 2025 Oklahoma Derby for the top three finishers.
Race Conditions & Format
- Eligibility: 2-Year-Olds
- Distance: 1 mile (dirt)
- Entry Fee: No nomination fee; starters pay $2,000
- Supplementary Nomination: $8,000 at time of entry
- Weight: 121 lbs standard
- Field Limit: 12 starters
- Payout Distribution:
- 1st: 60%
- 2nd: 20%
- 3rd: 11%
- 4th: 6%
- 5th: 3%
Full Field Overview
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed King (KY) | R Bejarano | R Moquett | Volatile × Athenian Beauty (Corinthian) |
| Coal Battle (KY) | J P Vargas | L Briley | Coal Front × Wolfblade (Midshipman) |
| Jolly Samurai (TX) | R Diaz | D Pish | First Samurai × Jolly Good (Paddy O’Prado) |
| Blue Angel (KY) | D Cabrera | S M Asmussen | Gun Runner × Sky America (Sky Mesa) |
| Dominant Spirit (KY) | J L Alvarez | W B Calhoun | Mohaymen × Town Belle (Speightstown) |
| Brooklyn Alley Cat (KY) | I V Diego | D Pish | Ministers Wild Cat × Dream On Kayla (Decarchy) |
| Essay (TX) | R E Eramia | W B Calhoun | Thousand Words × Annihilation (N. Afleet) |
| Complex Music (KY) | S Elliott | S M Asmussen | Complexity × Auspiciously (Malibu Moon) |
| Dr Ruben M (KY) | E A Maldonado | D F O’Neill | Vino Rosso × Xoxo (Majestic Warrior) |
| Medicine Dog (KY) | F Wethey Jr. | S N Davidson | Constitution × Royal Charlotte (Cairo Prince) |
| Mister Omaha (OK) | L S Quinonez | J S Offolter | Omaha Beach × Cosmic Code (Into Mischief) |
| Keeno (KY) | J V Bridgmohan | S M Asmussen | Keen Ice × Siesta Time (Tapit) |
Key Contenders to Watch
- Speed King – Electrifying debut at Churchill Downs and speed pedigree make him a headline act. Trainer Ron Moquett has him primed for deeper waters.
- Coal Battle – Two wins on dirt, including the Jean Lafitte Stakes. Stamina at a full mile is still a question, but form is solid.
- Jolly Samurai – Unbeaten at Remington (3-for-3), this Texas-bred colt is a local crowd favorite with a strong closing punch.
- Blue Angel – From the barn of Steve Asmussen and the powerful Gun Runner bloodline. Could fire late with a clean trip.
Tactical Considerations
- Speed vs. Stamina: Expect early fractions from Coal Battle and Dominant Spirit, while closers like Jolly Samurai and Keeno wait to pounce.
- Trainer Impact: Asmussen and Calhoun each send multiple runners—watch for intra-stable tactics.
- Derby Implications: Points earned here could set a contender on the path to Louisville.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Springboard Mile presents one of the season’s richest and most consequential stages for emerging two-year-olds. With $330K up for grabs and Derby points on the line, expect a tactical showdown among breakout stars and proven winners. Whether it’s Speed King’s brilliance, Coal Battle’s grit, or Jolly Samurai’s hometown magic, the outcome will shape the national racing conversation heading into 2025.
