Caleb's Posse solidifies status as favorite for Springboard Mile

Caleb’s Posse established himself as the early favorite for next month’s $250,000 Springboard Mile for 2-year-olds at Remington Park when he pulled away to a 5 1/2-length win over Grant Jack in the $100,000 Clever Trevor on Saturday. It was another 4 ¾ lengths back in third to Chipshot.

Caleb’s Posse ($7.20) has the same connections as retired millionaire Clever Trevor in owner Don McNeill and trainer Donnie Von Hemel. Caleb’s Posse stalked the pace on Saturday, with Behold de Buy leading the field through an opening quarter in 22.36 seconds and a half-mile in 45.11. Caleb’s Posse was in command of the race in the stretch, and covered seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.22.

“It was just a pleasure of a ride,” said jockey Quincy Hamilton. “He broke sharply and took me exactly where I wanted to be down the backstretch. We were a little wide, but I wasn’t concerned, especially when he gave me his powerful move once he switched leads.”

The Clever Trevor, named for the winner of the inaugural Oklahoma Derby in 1989, was part of Remington’s new series of stakes for 2-year-olds. The first two legs are preps for the Springboard Mile on Dec. 11. Sue Casa G Casa won the first stakes in the series, the $50,000 Kip Deville, and on Friday was pre-entered in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Jackpot that will be run at Delta Downs on Nov. 20.

Caleb’s Posse came into the Clever Trevor off an allowance win at Keeneland on Oct. 8. He was making his first start on dirt after racing exclusively on Polytrack at both Arlington Park and Keeneland.

“I think we found out today that he’s probably a better dirt horse than he is a Polytrack horse,” said Von Hemel.

Caleb’s Posse, who in September was third in the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity, has now won 3 of 5 starts. He is a son of Posse and he was bred in Kentucky by McNeill.