$402,400 Springboard Mile; one mile; Remington Park; Dec. 17, 2017 (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Greyvitos, by Malibu Moon Trainer: Adam Kitchingman Jockey: Victor Espinoza Owner: Triple B Farms Beyer Speed Figure: 88 The connections of GREYVITOS opted for this race rather than the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity at Los Alamitos eight days earlier, and it paid off with a solid victory in his first try on dirt going two turns. He had one prior try going two turns on turf. The turning point for Greyvitos came in his previous start, the Grade 3 Bob Hope at Del Mar, when he added blinkers and set legitimately strong fractions when winning for the first time. He might be a cut below the division’s leaders at the moment, but he has improved sharply in his last two starts and it will be interesting to see how he progresses this winter at Santa Anita.  In this race, Greyvitos had to overcome the outside post, and with the short run to the first turn he was initially caught about four paths wide. He ended up three deep, just behind and outside early leaders MAJOR BROWN and REDATORY, into the backstretch and all the way to the far turn. He moved to the lead when BELIEVE IN ROYALTY loomed up four paths wide three furlongs out. He showed good acceleration nearing the quarter pole to quickly open a daylight lead, and was never threatened by runner-up COMBATANT in the final furlong. He has the ability to get good position early and then make a move when needed three furlongs out and still have something left in deep stretch. Combatant, who was second, used his rail draw to good advantage, as he saved ground while just behind the leaders around the first turn. He had to wait briefly in some traffic near the three-furlong pole when a couple horses made premature moves, but then was able to knife between rivals while following Greyvitos at the quarter pole. He continued resolutely through the lane, but never got close to Greyvitos and was simply second best on the day. All things considered, he had a terrific trip. KINGSVILLE, who finished third, lacked early speed and trailed early, then had to check to avoid a multi-horse bumping incident into the first turn. Still well back on the far turn, he had to wait briefly when sent inside for his rally, had to go around only one horse at the quarter pole, ducked to the inside, then split horses a furlong out. He was never close to the top two but finished well in front of everyone else. This is the kind of horse who can be very useful if sanely campaigned the first part of 2018. NIGHT STRIKE, who was fourth, checked sharply going into the first turn and dropped all the way back to last, saved ground on the far turn, was angled to the middle of the track for the stretch, and passed tired rivals Major Brown, who was fifth, broke best and set the early pace while just inside of Redatory, vied for the lead to the middle of the far turn, could not go with Greyvitos when he surged to the front, was late to change leads in upper stretch, then weakened in the final furlong. Believe in Royalty, who was sixth, had to check to avoid a bumping incident to his inside heading into the first turn, and wound up mid-pack while in the four path around the first turn. He made an extended run down the backstretch and into the far turn to end up four paths wide, just outside Greyvitos, three furlongs out, then could not sustain his bid the final quarter-mile. He was forwardly placed in his best previous races. This race did not unfold to his liking. BODE’S MAKER, who was seventh, had to check briefly approaching the first turn but got through that incident relatively unscathed and raced in the two path toward the rear of the field around the first turn. He raced well back and wound up four paths wide on the far turn, split horses and passed some tired rivals, but never was a factor. FLIP THE COIN JAN, who finished eighth, broke slowly, was initially inside, but was angled off the rail and then was forced extremely wide into the first turn to avoid the trouble unfolding in front of him. He then made an extended run, initially three paths wide nearing the end of the first turn, that continued down the backstretch and into the far turn, where he wound up five paths wide while just outside Believe in Royalty. He understandably could not sustain the lengthy run, was late to change leads into the lane, and tired. He’s an intriguing gamble next time against softer company, perhaps turning back to an elongated sprint. He still has starter-allowance conditions, too. BRANGELINA, who was ninth, checked briefly heading into the first turn but was able to get through and save ground while toward the rear of the pack around that turn, raced between horses in the two path on the far turn while trying to rally, took a while to change leads in upper stretch, and was always outrun. Redatory, who finished 10th, had good speed leaving the gate and went up to vie for the lead from the two path around the first turn, briefly poked his head in front on the far turn, but then was overtaken by Greyvitos, began to weaken near the quarter pole, and steadily faded. SOUL P SAY, who was 11th, was jostled between rivals heading into the first turn, but found himself in a good stalking position heading into the backstretch, just behind the leaders and between rivals. He began to be outrun heading into the far turn while three paths wide, then was ridden sympathetically in a dull try.  FLAT LUCKY, who finished last of 12, was jostled badly heading into the first turn, and ended up three paths wide on that turn in the second flight of horses while appearing to be rank. He was taken to the rail down the backstretch and hugged the rail on the far turn, but had no response when asked three furlongs out, raced on his wrong lead in upper stretch, and retreated.