Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Springboard Mile Stakes

Dec 14, 2023 John Mucciolo

The Friday night feature at Remington Park is the $300,000 Springboard Mile S., a 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event that will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 structure towards the Run for the Roses. A solid field of nine colts and geldings will travel the two turns on the dirt in the $300,000 contest.

Doug Anderson’s Glengarry brings an unblemished 3-for-3 record to the field led by a recent tally in the Bowman Mill S. at Keeneland in his latest dash. Purchased for $150,000 in the spring, the son of very good young sire Maximus Mischief will stretch out to a route race for the initial time on Friday, and I think that he will pass the test with aplomb. He is the Expert Pick of the Week.

The Iowa-bred colt crushed two fields in his home state prior to his Keeneland coup, and he proved in the Bluegrass State last time out that he doesn’t need the lead to win, which is a very good sign for the sharp prospect. Glengarry shows four strong morning drills since his latest performance, and the February foal might be the 'speed of the speed' in a field with numerous early types in the mix. I feel that it is a major plus that Luis Saez, who guided him in his latest showing, comes back to guide the youngster in his local debut.

The grey Iowa-bred #4 Glengarry stays a perfect three-for-three in the Bowman Mill S. at Keeneland! 🏆

The 2-year-old colt by @spendthriftfarm's Maximus Mischief is trained by Doug Anderson and was piloted by @luissaezpty.

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/vdIMjQpr8Z

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 28, 2023

Three Chimneys Farm’s Otto the Conqueror has compiled a trio of above-average races to date, all at seven furlongs, for conditioner Steve Asmussen. By Street Sense, the $450,000 yearling purchase romped over subsequent Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) star Honor Marie in an allowance heat beneath the Twin Spires in his latest offering, and any improvement will make him especially tough to hold off inside the final furlong with Tyler Gaffalione retaining the ride.

Fidget, one of two in the event for trainer Brad Cox, has improved in each lifetime run, including a massive leap forward when moving to the main strip for the initial time in his recent allowance victory. The Calumet color bearer is bred for the trip, is well placed on the rail, and he also shows a trio of smart morning moves as of late, as well. Marcelino Pedroza Jr. will be in the silks.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #5 Glengarry on top of #8 Otto the Conqueror and #1 Fidget in the 2023 Springboard Mile S. is the Best Bet of the Week.