Caleb's Posse , runaway winner of the Clever Trevor Stakes last month at Remington Park, is the morning-line favorite for the $250,000 Springboard Mile on the final program of the Oklahoma City track's 2011 season on the night of Dec. 11.
The Springboard Mile, which attracted a field of 12, is the richest 2-year-old stakes of the meeting at Remington.
Caleb’s Posse has been impressive of late, winning three of his last four races and drawing clear in his Remington Park debut to win by 5 1/2 lengths in the Clever Trevor. While he is the 7-2 morning line choice, he will face some formidable returning foes from that race and some new shooters traveling in from other locales.
Owned in Oklahoma by McNeill Stables and trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Caleb’s Posse will be ridden by Quincy Hamilton, who handled him expertly in the Clever Trevor. The Kentucky-bred colt by Posse has won three of five career starts and boasts earnings of $122,470. He will leave the starting gate from post 7.
Chipshot, a troubled third in the Clever Trevor, appeared to stumble with a quarter-mile to run, losing momentum and quickly fading behind the unhindered Caleb’s Posse after competing for the lead throughout the lone turn of the race.
He is owned by the partnership of C.E. Glasscock and Vinery Stables and is trained by leading Remington Park conditioner Steve Asmussen. At 9-2 odds, the Peace Rules colt is the second choice on the morning line. Jockey Luis Quinonez will climb aboard Chipshot from the outside post position.
Twinspired, trained by Michael Maker, travels to Remington from Kentucky. The gray colt by Harlan's Holiday broke his maiden at first asking during the fall season at Keenelend. He had a rough trip, finishing fourth over the Churchill Downs turf in an early November attempt at one mile.
Jockey Shane Sellers keeps his mount on Twinspired, having ridden the colt in both of his career attempts. Sellers is a two-time winner of the Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park, scoring with Classic Cat (1998) and Performing Magic (2000).
Trainer Graham Motion and jockey Jeremy Rose attempt to win consecutive Springboards. They were victorious last year with Turf Melody, winning a photo finish over Man Chester Man. This time they are represented by Rampaige. The Smart Strike colt broke his maiden in his career debut at Keeneland in October. He ran second in his next start, the Christopher Elser Memorial Stakes at Parx Racing in Philadelphia.
Others traveling for the Springboard include: Royal Eavesdropper, undefeated in two starts at Charles Town in West Virginia and Laurel in Maryland; Aces N Kings, unplaced after bolting the final turn and losing rider Calvin Borel in the $1 million Jackpot Stakes (gr. III) at Delta Downs last month; Bluegrass Bull, victorious in two races at Calder Race Course in Miami; and Trubs, a winner of two straight races on the Louisiana circuit in September and October.
The Springboard Mile has been carded as the 10th of 11 races with an approximate post time of 9:42 p.m. CST. The first race on the final program of the season starts at 5:30 p.m. CST.
$250,000 Springboard Mile (Race 10, 9:42 p.m.), 2-Year-olds
PP. Horse, Trainer, Jockey, ML Odds
1. Rampaige, Graham Motion, Jeremy Rose, 8-1
2. Twinspired, Michael Maker, Shane Sellers, 5-1
3. Cactus Son, Kenny Smith, Glen Murphy, 20-1
4. Brickyard Fast, Joe Petalino, Bryan McNeil, 20-1
5. Royal Eavesdropper, Ramsey Zimmerman, 20-1
6. Aces N Kings, John Lowder, Eguard Tejera, 12-1
7. Caleb’s Posse, Donnie Von Hemel, Quincy Hamilton, 7-2
8. Bluegrass Bull, William Fires, Terry Thompson, 8-1
9. Grant Jack, Bret Calhoun, Cliff Berry, 15-1
10. Trubs, Albert Stall, Trey Agilar, 6-1
11. Behold de Buy, Joyce Salisbury, Jose Medina, 30-1
12. Chipshot, Steve Asmussen, Luis Quinonez, 9-2.
All carry 120 pounds.
