Outadore switches to dirt for Springboard Mile

Dec 15, 2020 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Following a third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), Outadore will join the Kentucky Derby trail in Friday’s $200,000 Remington Springboard Mile at Remington Park. The Wesley Ward-trained colt has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite among 11 runners in the one-mile qualifier, which offers 17 points (10-4-2-1 scale) towards a berth in the May 1 Kentucky Derby.

A convincing debut winner on Saratoga’s turf, Outadore followed with a 1 3/4-length score in the Juvenile Turf Sprint S. at Kentucky Downs in mid-September. The gray 2-year-old will make his first dirt attempt in the Springboard Mile, and Outadore is by Outwork, a son of Uncle Mo, the sire of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.

Ward adds Lasix and removes blinkers, and leading Remington jockey David Cabrera picks up the assignment on the front-running Outadore.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) runner-up Cowan comes next on the morning line at 4-1. Conditioned by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Cowan has placed in three consecutive turf stakes, but the Kantharos colt showed his versatility when breaking his maiden by 2 3/4 lengths on the main track at Churchill Downs earlier this year. Stewart Elliott will guide the late runner.

Asmussen also has a possible pace player in Saffa’s Day, a sharp wire-to-wire maiden winner who didn’t make the early lead when weakening to sixth in the Nov. 6 Nyquist S. in his second outing. The Carpe Diem colt figures to show speed with jockey Iram Diego.

Brad Cox will send out Joe Frazier, who is listed at 5-1. By Distorted Humor, the sire of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide, the chestnut colt broke his maiden by three lengths at first asking, and Joe Frazier adds Lasix following a third in the Nov. 22 allowance at Churchill Downs. Richard Erama will ride.

Number One Dude will try open rivals following back-to-back restricted stakes wins over Oklahoma-bred rivals. The dark bay gelding has won all three starts by a combined 14 1/2 lengths for trainer Karl Craddock, and Ezequiel Lara retains the mount. Game Day Play exits a victory in the Oct. 30 Clever Trevor S. at Remington, and Lindey Wade will be up for Bret Calhoun.

Flash of Mischief, Gushing Oil, Red N Wild, and Senor Buscador are also part of the mix.