The one-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier has drawn a dozen entries. There is no standout favorite, and in fact the top two picks on the morning line have meaningful questions to answer.
Submissions: Remington Springboard Mile S.
Remington Park, Saturday December 20, 2025, race 12
- STK
- 1m
- Filthy
- $300,000
- 2 years
- 10:26 PM (local)
#7 Herb runner (3-1) is the favorite, which is not surprising considering he is the most accomplished horse in the field. During the summer he showed good form against stakes competition, finishing second by two lengths behind Comport in the seven-furlong Ellis Park Juvenile S. before turning the tables on that rival with a lead in the one-mile Iroquois (G3).
But Spice Runner’s form has deteriorated since stretching around two turns. He was never a factor after stumbling at the start of the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and finishing fifth by a dozen lengths. Then in the 1 1/16 mile Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) he broke slowly and never got involved, finishing last of the seven, beaten by 15 lengths.
It’s possible that Spice Runner will bounce back as he falls in class for the Remington Springboard Mile. Keep in mind that he is trained by Steve Asmussen, who has won the Springboard Mile four times since 2014. But I don’t want to support Spice Runner for a short price.
#1 Arctic beast (4-1) is the second choice in the morning line. The New York-bred colt is undefeated against state-restricted competition, winning a Saratoga Race Course first special weight with a nose before dominating the Aspirant S. and New York Breeders’ Futurity Finger Lakes.
In terms of Beyer speed numbers and Brisnet speed ratings, Arctic Beast is a logical victory threat in the Remington Springboard Mile. But can he replicate his best figures as he steps outside the New York-born ranks and stretches beyond six furlongs for the first time? These are two major obstacles that must be overcome. Additionally, pulling the rail could be tricky, as Arctic Beast has employed external pace-pressing tactics in each of his first three starts, and is unlikely to engineer a similar journey at Remington.
Since I’m hesitant to back Spice Runner and Arctic Beast at the top, I’ll go with #2 Time for music (9-2) – another Asmussen trainee – as my pick to win the Remington Springboard Mile.
As the son of red-hot father Not This Time, Time for Music is gradually emerging as a quality racehorse. He didn’t show much talent in his first two starts sprinting six furlongs or less, but when he stretched out for a first special weight race over seven furlongs at Keenelandhe saved ground in third before rallying to win by a neck.
Time for Music ran even better in an optional $100,000 one-mile claimer Churchill Downs last month. After dropping as much as six lengths behind a fast pace, he closed the ground nicely on the homestretch to finish second by 2 3/4 lengths.
In the Remington Springboard Mile, horses pulled posts 10, 11 and 12 with early speed. This should guarantee a contested run to the first corner, and – probably – a fair pace. A fast pace should enhance Time for Music’s strengths, allowing him to slow the pace while saving ground before embarking on a homestretch rally. It helps that he is ridden by handsome jockey Erik Asmussen, a 27% winner on Remington this race. According to Brisnet statistics, Erik Asmussen has gained 25% together with Steve Asmussen in the last two months.
For second place I choose #6 Supreme Good (8-1) from the barn of Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek.
Supreme Good debuted in a 5 1/2-furlong turf special weight at Saratoga and failed to threaten, finishing fifth. He ran fifth again when he attempted the Saratoga dirt in a special girls weight 6 1/2 furlong.
But then Supreme Good stretched over a mile for a first optional claimer of $75,000 Aqueduct racecoursehe improved tremendously and launched a midrace move at a fast pace before clearing to score by 8 1/2 lengths. This big step forward, while stretching into the distance, suggests Supreme Good still has an advantage and can beat his chances in the Springboard Mile.
Selections
1st: Time for music
2nd: Supreme Good
3rd: Spice Runner
4th: Arctic Beast
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in the Remington Springboard Mile?
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