Springboard Mile Review: Outside post no problem for Greyvitos

Dec 19, 2017 by James Scully/Brisnet.com

After being installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite, Greyvitos did not receive the expected betting action from post 12 in the December 17 Springboard Mile at Remington Park but supporters got the last laugh as the gray colt rolled home to a 2 ¼-length victory as the 3-1 second choice.

The Springboard Mile is a new addition to the Road to the Kentucky Derby series and Greyvitos was making his first appearance in a qualifier and two-turn debut. He netted 10 points for the facile tally.

Following losses in the first two starts, trainer Adam Kitchingman added blinkers and Greyvitos responded with a 19-1 upset in the 7-furlong Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar November 11, breaking his maiden wire to wire by a 1 ½-length decision.

He displayed good versatility overcoming a wide trip in the Springboard Mile, rating about a couple of lengths off the early leaders before launching his bid nearing the completion of the far turn, and there never was any suspense to the outcome as he dominated through the stretch. The triumph brought a feel-good sentiment as well with Greyvitos being one of the first horses evacuated from the recent deadly fire at San Luis Rey Downs.

Greyvitos will need to improve upon a 93 BRIS Speed rating. I was disappointed to see his numbers go down after registering a 98 Speed figure in the Bob Hope.

By Malibu Moon, sire of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, Greyvitos doesn’t have to worry about stamina influences on either side of his pedigree. He’s bred to succeed at longer distances on turf, with his dam, the Najran mare Snow Top Mountain, winning multiple graded races on the sod and being closely related to graded turf winners Keertana, Diversity Harbor and Ticonderoga. But the Virginia-bred performed poorly on the lawn the first-time out and Greyvitos is making his reputation on the main track presently.

On the heels of back-to-back convincing stakes wins, Greyvitos has established himself as a 3-year-old to watch in 2018 Kentucky Derby prep races.

I visually liked the effort from runner-up Combatant, who was making his stakes debut for Steve Asmussen following a decisive maiden score at Churchill Downs. The stalker offered a solid rally to be 5 ¼ lengths clear of third-placer Kingsville and the Springboard Mile could prove to be a nice building block if the Scat Daddy colt can show more from a BRIS Speed rating perspective going forward.

(Greyvitos photo from Bob Hope/Benoit Photo)