The one-mile race typically draws a strong local contingent and the $300,000 purse sees several out-of-state runners make the trek for a chance at a nice paycheck, along with Derby qualifying points awarded on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale to the top five finishers.
The Remington-based runners for the 2025 edition on December 20 are the winner of the Clever Trevor Stakes #3 Essential time (6-1), two-time Remington stakes winner #4 RoyalAmerican (12-1), bets placed #12 Express child (20-1), and first time winners #9 Western man (20-1) and #11 Jets Rio (30-1). Essential Time has finished in the top three in all three starts, while Royalamerican has never been worse than second in four races. Both need to be competitive in this race.
I don’t like what I’ve seen from the Iroquois Stakes winner #7 Spice Runner (3-1) in his two most recent starts, so I’m happy he can beat me as a 3-1 favorite in the morning line. I’ll play him in the Springboard Mile even though he faces better competition.
The horse that really caught my attention is #1 Artic beast (4-1), who has natural speed and should be at or near the pace from the inside post. He is a two-time stakes winner at Finger Lakes who arrives from Oaklawn Park for trainer Mike Maker. The Yaupon colt will extend an extra quarter of a mile in distance to a mile, but his dam (dam), Frostie Anne, was the stakes winner at 1 1/8 miles and he is the fastest horse in the race, while he is undefeated in three starts.
I also like longshot #10 Big Apple Patrick (15-1) to beat his odds. He won impressively in his debut at Churchill Downs in October before slumping late after setting the pace at 1 1/16 miles in a starter’s race under the Twin Spiers on November 22. Both races took place on a sloppy track and I’m curious to see if he takes a step forward on a dry track with no rain in the forecast in Oklahoma City this weekend.
My plan of attack is to bet Arctic Beast to win at 3-1 or better and play him in a trifecta against Essential Time, Royalamerican, and Big Apple Patrick.
Betting strategy with a $10 budget
$10 to win on #1 Arctic Beast
What to say at the betting window: Remington Park, Race 12, $10 to win at 1
Betting strategy with a $30 budget
$12 to win on #1 Arctic Beast ($12)
What to say at the betting window: Remington Park, Race 12, $12 to win at 1
$3 trifecta: 1 with 3,4,10 with 3,4,10 ($18)
What to say at the betting window: Remington Park, Race 12, $3 trifecta: 1 w/3,4,10 w/3,4,10
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