A final chance to travel around two turns as a 2-year-old in a Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying race awaits a field of 12 in the Dec. 20 Remington Springboard Mile at Remington Park. The listed stakes offers a purse of $300,000 plus 10-5-3-2-1 points toward qualifying for the 2026 Derby to the top five finishers.
1. Arctic Beast (4-1 morning-line odds): He's undefeated in three starts, but they came in two stakes and a maiden race, all for New York-breds at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. As a son of Yaupon , it will be interesting to see if he can effectively stretch out to a mile. From the rail, he should be on or near the lead.
JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Mike Maker
2. Time for Music (9-2): Came to life in his third career start and was second in a Churchill Downs allowance last time out. Should be a major threat if he can duplicate that effort.
JOCKEY: Erik Asmussen; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
3. Essential Time (6-1): Won the Clever Trevor Stakes on this track, but that was at 6 1/2 furlongs. Was third on the turf last time, but he's a son of Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Essential Quality , so the distance should be within his scope.
JOCKEY: Iram Diego; TRAINER: Danny Pish
4. Royalamerican (12-1): Comes off a pair of stakes wins on this track, though in Oklahoma-bred company. Has a nice late kick and could be a strong factor in the final furlong.
JOCKEY: David Cabrera; TRAINER: C. R. Trout
5. My Dream Zapper (20-1): Was second in a stakes last time at 6 furlongs. Speed figures have been mediocre and he'll need to take a step forward to be a main threat.
JOCKEY: Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez; TRAINER: Stetson Rushton
6. Supreme Good (8-1): He won a maiden optional claiming race that was taken off the turf in his third career start. Continued improvement could put him in the mix.
JOCKEY: Christopher Elliott; TRAINER: Kenny McPeek
7. Spice Runner (3-1): Flopped in graded stakes in his last two tries but won the Iroquois Stakes (G3) before that. A return to top form would make him tough to beat. Jockey Stewart Elliott and his son Christopher Elliott will be breaking next to each other in this father vs. son race within a race.
JOCKEY: Stewart Elliott; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
8. Way Beyond (12-1): Was fourth in a Delta Downs stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs. Comes from a top barn and seems to be getting better with each start. Could be a live one here.
JOCKEY: Ramon Vazquez; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
9. Western Man (20-1): Romped in his career debut here against fellow Oklahoma-breds. Ran fast early and then slowed down late at 6 1/2 furlongs. Hard to read if he'll handle the distance.
JOCKEY: Richard Eramia; TRAINER: Joe Offolter
10. Big Apple Patrick (15-1): Was third in a starter allowance at Churchill Downs at a 1 1/16-mile distance. His speed figure makes him competitive and could offer nice value if he goes off at double-digit odds.
JOCKEY: Walter Rodriguez; TRAINER: Daniel Leitch
11. Jets Rio (30-1): Won a one-mile maiden race in the slop here by 5 1/2 lengths. Time was slow and the post-position hurts, but could sneak into the exotics at a big price.
JOCKEY: Rene Diaz; TRAINER: Ron Moquett
12. Express Kid (20-1): Won on the turf last time out but was sixth in the Clever Trevor. We'll pass from post-position No. 12.
JOCKEY: Jose Alvarez; TRAINER: Wade Rarick
THE PICK: Time for Music
LIVE LONGSHOT: Big Apple Patrick
SUPERFECTA: 2-1-7-10
