RP Springboard Mile (KYD)- $400.000 Purse
RP- For Two Year Olds
One Mile on the Dirt
December 16, 2018

The RP Springboard Mile may not be a graded stake, but it has become a very exciting two year old race to watch that comes after the running of the BC Juvenile. It’s timing on the schedule is perfect, too, about six weeks after the BC. It first appeared on the schedule in 2015, and for a $250.000 purse. Since then, the stakes have increased, and you have to wonder if one day this will soon be an official graded stake. It should come as no surprise that the starting gate is full for the race, and that includes a thrilling rematch between the top two finishers in the BC Juvenile, Beach Dandy and Questionable. They only highlight the field that is full of talent, and with KYD points on the line, you can bet that this is a race that will be frequently mentioned as we move into 2019. Let’s meet the field!

#1- Be One (Gdp Inc, ridden by F Pennington)- On the rail, this Z Jinxed One gelding gets the services of the great F Pennington for his fourth career start. Two of his three races so far have seen him get the win, and that includes the $250.000 Sleepy Hollow for NY-breds about two months ago at BEL. He is perfect thus far in his career when running long, and burst onto the scene a little too late to battle the BC Juvenile runners, but this is a great opportunity for him right here.

#2- Demolition Man (Winning Link Stables, ridden by F Geroux)- Thus far, the only victory for Demolition Man was when he broke his maiden in June, but don’t write him off too quickly just yet. He has appeared in some quality races, such as the $200.000 GS Juvenile for CA-breds last month. In that he finished third, and was within half a length of a win. He was gelded a couple starts back, and lasix was recently added. I’d like to see better mile works on him, but if he can step it up on race day, he may still be fine.

#3- Di Bug (Night Rider Stables, ridden by Ro Maragh)- This gelding has seen his career get off to a fast start, with four wins in six starts. They weren’t always at the highest of levels, but the trainer has done a great job after claiming him for $25.000, moving him into NY-bred stakes. He would win the $100.000 Aspirant, then was narrowly defeated by Be One in the Sleepy Hollow. He’s raced once since, and scored a win in the Grade 3 Hope Stakes. Therefore, there is much to like about his form heading into the race, and he should be a contender.

#4- Cardinal Direction (Mb Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- Also ran in the BC Juvenile last month but unlike his stablemate, Questionable, and the winner, Beach Dandy, he did not get a piece of the purse. He was competitive with them though, running sixth and missing with two lengths. This is a slightly shorter race as well, and he was passed late in that race. Also something to not overlook is that Mb Stables, despite having a loaded arsenal of two year olds, went out and got him in June for $300.000. So, we know he thinks quite highly of him.

#5- Quenched (Aer Stables, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- The trainer picked up quite a steal when he picked this one up in a claimer for a mere $9.000. He won a two-way shake that day, so somewhere out there, another trainer is wishing they had luck with the coin flip. Aer Stables has done a great job, and the result is a horse that has gone three-for-three when running in his new silks. This includes a win in the Grade 3 Nashua, which was held on BC day, out at AQU. He’s never met a field of this caliber, so it will be exciting to see how he fares against them.

#6- Hard Cider (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by Jef Sanchez)- This gelding by Ferro is looking to give that sire yet another top KYD threat as we head into 2019, but Hard Cider does have some work to do to get to that point. He’s 2-for-4, but really only his last two races can provide insight into how he may fare here. Even then, his last race, and only stake attempt, came on the grass, but it was a win, at the $75.000 Juvenile Turf at CRC for FL-breds. Works are excellent, and provide the main reason for optimism about his chances here.

#7- Storming (John Henry, ridden by J Talamo)- He’s changed hands again! After it took three trainers for one to end up putting him on the track, Storming has been moved on, yet again, this time from Blushing Meadows, to John Henry. The prices surrounding him are always high, and he has potential. Now, despite what happens in this race, let us hope that he has found an owner that wants to hang on to him for a while. Comes into the race off a second place showing at the GS Juvenile, and will attempt going a mile for the first time.

#8- Fear The Dragon (LionKing Stables, ridden by L Saez)- Looking at his work times, you see a horse that should absolutely be right there with the top contenders in the division. The race results, though, have not been there. In October, Fear The Dragon paid the price for that underachievement, and was gelded. He raced three weeks ago at DMR in an optional claimer, and was third in a four horse field. It was muddy that day. Hopefully that result was only because of that. Time (though, overdue) for the dragon to step up if he wants to be feared.

#9- Questionable (Mb Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- Last month, Questionable did everything he could to become a BC Juvenile champion. He had come into the race off of a win in the Grade 1 Pharoah, which was also how he ended up breaking his maiden. In the BC Juvenile, he looked to come from behind, as did the eventual race winner, Beach Dandy. However, his opponent made his move to the front a little quicker, but Questionable gave him quite the battle. At the end of the race, he would finish second, but would love to finish out this year with a little revenge.

#10- Beach Dandy (Joshua Stables, ridden by J J Castellano)- There is plenty of reason to be excited about this horse as we go into 2019, but we’ll get one more look at him this season. He is three for four in his career, and prior to winning the BC Juvenile, he was victorious in the Grade 1 Hopeful at SAR. The Juvenile win made a BC champion out of the trainer, Joshua Stables, his first such win in a career that began in 2003. For him, I can’t imagine how sweet that was, especially when you’re doing it in a headbob over an Mb Stables horse. His works are remaining consistent, and Castellano knows how to get him in the winners circle.

#11- Lionking Invader (Estero Farms, ridden by C J Lanerie)- Winner of two races in five starts, but has not really faced anything like what he will see today. Only has made on stake attempt, the $100.000 Frost King on a muddy Halloween at WO, and was a non factor in the race, and has not been back to the track. This will also be his first race going long. Never count out anything from this trainer, but he’s a little tough to pick for a win at this time against this level of competition.

#12- Shake It Up And Go (John Henry, ridden by A A Gallardo)- This colt appeared in the BC as well, but in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint. He would not be a factor, placing sixth, although was within a length of the winner. His claim to fame right now is a pair of wins in NM-bred stakes in September. The trainer is doing what the horse’s name says, shaking things up a bit, and sending him a mile for the first time. Recent works show that he will be up for the task. If you’re looking for a spoiler in this field, here’s your pick.

Prediction: 10-9-1-6

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded