Study Guide: 2025 Remington Springboard Mile

Dec 17, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Spice Runner wins the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

A dozen horses are slated to vie for 21 Kentucky Derby qualification points in Saturday’s $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile S. at Remington Park.

The top five finishers in the one-mile race will earn points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.

Let’s take a horse-by-horse tour through the entries:

Arctic Beast

Arctic Beast wins the New York Breeders' Futurity at Finger Lakes Racecourse in New York. (Photo by SV Photography)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Paradise Farms, JP Racing Stable, David Staudacher, Zilla Racing Stables, and Jennifer Rice
Breeder: Rockridge Stud, Saratoga Glen Farm, and Beal’s Racing Stable
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (92) when winning the Aspirant S. at Finger Lakes.
Total Earnings: $205,503

Sire: Yaupon
Dam: Frostie Anne
Color: Dark bay/brown

Bred in New York, Arctic Beast is unbeaten in three starts against fellow New York-breds, most notably dominating the Aspirant S. and New York Breeders’ Futurity. But he’s yet to run farther than six furlongs, so stretching out over one mile against non-state-restricted competition in the Remington Springboard Mile could be tricky.

Time for Music

Time For Music wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Mike McCarty
Breeder: International Equities Holding
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Erik Asmussen

Top Speed Rating: (87) when finishing second in a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $97,933

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Bling On the Music
Color: Gray/roan

Time for Music showed promise in a one-mile $100,000 allowance optional claimer last month, rallying from seventh place to finish second with a sharp 87 Brisnet Speed rating. He did benefit from a fast pace, but there’s a chance he’ll get another quick tempo to chase in this large Springboard Mile field. Time for Music is a logical win contender.

Essential Time

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Duffy’s Racing Stable and Heider Racing Stables
Breeder: D. J. Stable
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Iram Diego

Top Speed Rating: (79) when winning the Clever Trevor S. at Remington Park.
Total Earnings: $101,786

Sire: Essential Quality
Dam: Twilight Curfew
Color: Gray/roan

Essential Time has already proven his worth against stakes competition, winning the 6 1/2-furlong Clever Trevore S. at Remington Park. But the competition is deeper on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, and Essential Time’s career-best 79 Brisnet Speed rating looks a little light against Saturday’s field.

Royalamerican

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: C. R. Trout
Breeder: C. R. Trout
Trainer: C. R. Trout
Jockey: David Cabrera

Top Speed Rating: (84) when winning the Don C. McNeill S. at Remington Park.
Total Earnings: $90,639

Sire: Upstart
Dam: Scat for the Cause
Color: Dark bay/brown

Royalamerican has won back-to-back stakes for Oklahoma-breds at Remington Park, including the one-mile Don C. McNeill S. A top-five finish may be within reach, even while stepping outside the Oklahoma-bred ranks for the first time.

My Dream Zapper

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Kevin E. Waggoner
Breeder: Adena Springs
Trainer: Stetson Rushton
Jockey: Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez

Top Speed Rating: (84) when winning an allowance at Arapahoe Park.
Total Earnings: $26,410

Sire: Ghostzapper
Dam: Sincerity
Color: Bay

My Dream Zapper has shown flashes of talent sprinting, but he’s yet to run farther than six furlongs. He must improve upon his recent runner-up finish in the Gold Rush Futurity at Arapahoe Park to beat tougher rivals in the Springboard Mile.

Supreme Good

Supreme Good wins at Belmont at the Big A. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: John Holleman
Breeder: Barouche Stud Ireland
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Christopher Elliott

Top Speed Rating: (81) when winning a $75,000 maiden optional claimer at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $46,500

Sire: Supremacy
Dam: Enoughisgoodenough
Color: Bay

Supreme Good was much the best in a one-mile $75,000 maiden optional claimer at Aqueduct last time out, surging from off the pace to win by 8 1/2 lengths. He’s progressing in the right direction for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek and shouldn’t be underestimated.

Spice Runner

Spice Runner wins the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Stewart Elliott

Top Speed Rating: (89) on two occasions, including when winning the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $316,426

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Simple Surprise
Color: Bay

Spice Runner has already found success on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, rallying gamely to win the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. But he’s faltered in two subsequent starts against tougher competition, finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and seventh in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) while beaten by wide margins. He’ll need a rebound to win the Springboard Mile.

Way Beyond

Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Ed and Susie Orr
Breeder: Manganaro Bloodstock, Iapetus Racing, and Jason Taylor Equine
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez

Top Speed Rating: (77) on three occasions, including when finishing fourth in the Jean Lafitte S. at Delta Downs.
Total Earnings: $68,155

Sire: Twirling Candy
Dam: On My Way
Color: Dark bay/brown

Way Beyond exits a fourth-place finish in the Jean Lafitte S. at Delta Downs, where he posted a third consecutive 77 Brisnet Speed rating. He’ll need improvement to challenge for a top-five finish in the Springboard Mile.

Western Man

Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Bart D. and Sandra Howard
Breeder: Bryan Hawk
Trainer: Joe Offolter
Jockey: Richard Eramia

Top Speed Rating: (76) when winning a Remington Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $22,668

Sire: Code West
Dam: Blushing Kitten
Color: Bay

Western Man dominated his debut in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight for Oklahoma-breds, charging away to win by 9 1/4 lengths. But the 76 Brisnet Speed rating he posted suggests he’ll need improvement to win the Springboard Mile.

Big Apple Patrick

Big Apple Patrick wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: KatieRich Stables
Breeder: KatieRich Farms
Trainer: Daniel Leitch
Jockey: Walter Rodriguez

Top Speed Rating: (84) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $60,620

Sire: Union Rags
Dam: Sour Apples
Color: Bay

Big Apple Patrick was last seen finishing a pacesetting third in a 1 1/16-mile $50,000 starter allowance at Churchill Downs. With Brisnet Speed ratings of 82 and 84 to his credit, he’s a candidate to outrun expectations and challenge for a top-five finish in the Springboard Mile.

Jets Rio

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Bowen Thoroughbred Racing
Breeder: Walking L. Thoroughbreds and Magdalena Racing
Trainer: Ron Moquett
Jockey: Rene Diaz

Top Speed Rating: (70) when winning a Remington Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $30,224

Sire: Candy Ride
Dam: Jeweled Princess
Color: Gray/roan

Jets Rio recently won a one-mile maiden special weight at Remington Park by 5 1/2 lengths. The fact that he’s proven his worth over the Springboard Mile track and distance is appealing, but his career-best 70 Brisnet Speed rating is on the slow side.

Express Kid

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Steve Haahr
Breeder: Richard Barton Enterprises
Trainer: Wade Rarick
Jockey: Jose Alvarez

Top Speed Rating: (80) when finishing second in the Prairie Meadows Freshman S. at Prairie Meadows.
Total Earnings: $56,902

Sire: Bodexpress
Dam: Sensationalize
Color: Bay

Last month, Express Kid closed from a few lengths off the pace to win a 7 1/2-furlong allowance on grass at Remington Park. He’s run well on dirt in the past and may exceed expectations while returning to dirt for the Springboard Mile.