Expert Pick of the Week: 2024 Springboard Mile Stakes

Dec 12, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A full field of 12 two-year-olds will go one-mile on the Remington Park dirt oval in Friday’s $300,000 Springboard Mile S. The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.

The talented and well-matched cast lacks a true standout in my opinion and appears to be a wide-open betting contest. Coal Battle is two-for-two on the dirt in his career, led by a smart tally in the Jean Lafitte S. at Delta Downs in his latest performance. The dark bay colt is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Trained by Lonnie Briley, the son of Coal Front began his career on July 24 at Evangeline Downs and beat maiden special weight foes in a five-furlong dash over a sloppy, sealed strip. Following a pair of difficult turf events, the April foal made a quick middle move at Delta en route to victory, and he is well drawn on the rail for this one, too.

#ICYMI you can get TRIPLE the rewards points with TwinSpires. Yes, TRIPLE! 📢🗣️

Wager at all CDI tracks every Friday -- Sunday in December and receive triple the rewards points! 🤩

Opt in ⤵️ https://t.co/f6bEO9wBUn pic.twitter.com/9JjUTTRP6F

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 11, 2024

Coal Battle has posted a pair of solid morning drills in anticipation of his first route on the dirt and seems poised to handle the voyage while saving ground throughout. The April foal will rate from off of a solid early pace before being given his cue from regular pilot Juan Vargas.

Second time starter Speed King looked the part in a front-running debut sprint win beneath the Twin Spires and could be a nice prospect going forward. The Volatile colt stretches out for the initial time and looks like the one to catch from the start with Rafael Bejarano in the stirrups.

The once-beaten Mister Omaha has romped in three straight events for conditioner Joe Offolter, including a daylight score in the Don C. McNeill S. on the surface in his initial try going long. Omaha Beach colt has been facing Sooner State-bred foes leading up to this point, but he seems poised to give a good impression of himself on Friday with open company. The March foal has a versatile running style and should be clear throughout with Luis Quinonez in the silks once again.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #1 Coal Battle on top of #3 Speed King and #11 Mister Omaha in the 2024 Springboard Mile Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.