Shoplifted bags Springboard Mile

Dec 16, 2019 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

The only runner in Sunday night’s $400,000 Springboard Mile with experience at the Grade 1 level, Shoplifted, called on that class edge to prevail in the Kentucky Derby (G1) points race at Remington Park.

The Steve Asmussen trainee had flashed talent at Saratoga over the summer, romping in his debut and rallying for second to stablemate Basin in the Hopeful (G1). Shoplifted didn’t fare as well at Santa Anita, where he wound up fifth in the American Pharoah (G1) and seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) last out. But a change of venue here helped him to show his true colors.

Sent off as the 4-1 third choice, Shoplifted was reserved just about midpack early by jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. Stablemate Rowdy Yates, a 7-2 chance, set a contested pace but faded turning for home. Embolden made the boldest move to take command in the stretch, only to face challenges on both flanks.

Shoplifted gained on the outside, while Answer In, the 3-5 favorite in his stakes debut, altered course to find room on the inside. As Embolden grudgingly yielded, Shoplifted grabbed a narrow lead and then held off Answer In by a head in a final time of 1:37.95.

Campaigned by Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables, and LNJ Foxwoods, Shoplifted scored his first 10 Derby points. Answer In opened his account with 4, and Embolden, just another half-length away in third, garnered 2 points. There was a 13 1/2-length gap back to fourth-placer Jungle Runner who took home 1 point.

An $800,000 purchase at Fasig-Tipton’s Gulfstream Sale in March, Shoplifted has earned $385,500 from his 5-2-1-0 record. The well-named son of Into Mischief and the mare Shopit was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall, Carrie Brogden, and Craig Brogden.

Shoplifted capped an historic four-win night for Asmussen, who became Remington’s all-time leading trainer with 1,051 career wins at the Oklahoma City oval. Santana was aboard all four.  

The Springboard Mile was the final U.S. points race of 2019. After Wednesday's Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun on the Japan Road, the scoring action resumes with the Jerome at Aqueduct on January 1, when the newly turned 3-year-olds will try to celebrate their official birthday with Derby points.