RP Springboard Mile (KYD)- $400.000 Purse
RP- For Two Year Olds
One Mile on the Dirt
December 11, 2017

Despite not being a graded stake, the RP Springboard Mile is a great opportunity to not only earn some KYD points, but to simply see where your TC prospect stands as we head into the new year. Its purse is a generous $400.000, which is an increase of $100.000 from where it stood last year. 2017 is the third time that the stake has been run, and it could also be called the Mb Springboard Mile, since that trainer has won the prior two editions. In 2015, it was High Pride getting the job done, followed by Noble Crusader last year. While High Pride would ultimately win the Pacific Classic later in 2016, he did not participate in any of the TC races. The same held true for Noble Crusader. So the race has not officially been a springboard for its winner, yet. Our field of nine this year ranges from one of the favorites in the BC Juvenile, to a star of the free track. Let’s meet them now!

#1- Processing Class (Toppedout, ridden by T Conner)- When this colt heads to the starting gate, he will be running for the 14th time already in his career. Just a week ago, he was running in a $45.000 claimer at PEN, and it wasn’t a PA-bred race. He won the race, and has done so for the last three, but they have all come for no purse money. It’s good to see the trainer make a move forward, but it’s hard to process that he would be in top form here, having run on the 2nd.

#2- Lucky Phooey (LionKing Stables, ridden by V Espinoza)- The colt by Phooeys Ideal broke his maiden last month out at DMR, and looks to spring board his career here. Seems to do just a little bit better each time the race extends out, so I do feel that he is still an improving horse. That will have to happen just a little bit more for him to win this race, as he otherwise looks like a midpack runner here.

#3- Charleys Agent (Mb Stables, ridden by R J Albarado)- Surprisingly, this is the only entry by the trainer in the race that he looks to pull off a three-peat in. Charleys Agent is a new addition to the stable as well, having been purchased in private sales last month from Allinthegate for $100.000. His last two starts had been on the grass, but Mb Stables has been steadily working him on the main track, and the results show a lot of promise. A bullet work on the day of his sale was particularly impressive, and based on that, he should contend strongly here.

#4- Newsnight (Sir Daniel Martin, ridden by J R Velazquez)- The gelding by Walkin Dead makes the 10th of his career in this race, and looks for his fourth win. He’s tried a few ungraded stakes over the course of his career, but did not find victory in one until his last start, the LA Legacy for LA breds, last month. He’s seen a lot of the race track for the last six weeks, so hopefully he is on his best form in this one.

#5- One For Charlie (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- Broke his maiden two starts ago out at PRX in pretty impressive fashion on the turf course out there. The trainer hoped for some momentum off of that race in the $100.000 Awad, but One For Charlie ended up being almost a full second slower, and was a non-factor. He returns to the main track for this one, and I think this is going to be a move that finds success. One For Charlie may be a longshot in this field, and if he is, take a shot on him.

#6- Eclipse My Knowledge (Nakamura Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- This should be one of the top contenders in this field. While he has only won one of out of his starts, it is a second place finish that intrigues me that most. That is when he finished in that position in the Grade 3 Grey Stakes, to a horse named Mistress Seeker, who went on to finish within a length at the BC Juvenile last month. After his run at the Grade 2 Nashua, I’m a little surprised to see him run at this distance again, and not go longer, though.

#7- Table Stakes (Barcelona Farms, ridden by D Van Dyke)- I’ve been getting full on covering Table Stakes early in his career. It’s hard to believe that he still only has three races under his belt. I was very impressed with the way that he won Breeders Futurity at KEE in October. That brought him to the BC Juvenile, a race that he looked strong in until very late, and ended up finishing fifth. There was nothing really wrong with his effort there, other then being a little unlucky. Table Stakes is the horse to beat in this field, though its not a foregone conclusion.

#8- Creep City II (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by D Moran)- Started off his career looking sharp, winning three of his first four races, which included the $75.000 ELP Juvenile in late August. After the win, the trainer began running him at over a mile, and his performance in the Grade 2 Iroquois saw him run in the middle of the field. While that run was fine, I thought he needed to be a little better in the NY-bred Sleepy Hollow. Even though he did finish fourth, he was a non-factor for the win. He’s still young and still looks like he’s trying to find his way somewhat. He will still contend here.

#9- Reach For A Latte (Luz International, ridden by D R Flores)- Enters the Springboard Mile looking to use his maiden win as the catapult into bigger and better things. He has just the two races on his resume thus far, but the win last month at CD was good looking, particularly in how he ran in the stretch. Off of that effort, it’s easy to see why the trainer is reaching not only for a latte, but for bigger things out of this well bred horse.

Prediction: 7-6-3-8

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded