Cool Arrow must overcome post 12 in Springboard Mile

Cool Arrow has an obstacle to overcome right out of the gate Sunday at Remington Park in the $300,000 Springboard Mile, but trainer Joe Sharp is hopeful that the probable favorite’s natural speed will enable him to get the right kind of trip from post 12.

The Springboard Mile, which is for 2-year-olds, anchors a closing-day program of five stakes worth a total of $600,000. It also is part of an all-stakes pick four on races 9-12 that has a minimum guaranteed pool of $30,000. First post is 3 p.m. Central.

Cool Arrow leads a field that includes fellow stakes winners U S Officer, Hallelujah Hit, Prados Way, and Imma Wild Bling, as well as Churchill Downs maiden winners Young American and Totality. Cool Arrow and jockey Luis Saez will start from the widest post in the large field.

“Obviously, going a flat mile, the far outside is not ideal,” Sharp said. “Having said that, I think he’s quick, and Luis is a great rider getting position in a big race. So, I have confidence in the fact that they can get away from there and work their way over into the first turn. I’m not overly concerned about it. I’d rather have a target to run at.”

Springboard Mile, Race 11

KEY CONTENDERS

Cool Arrow, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 71-72-67

◗ Cool Arrow became a stakes winner Sept. 25, when he invaded Remington and captured the $75,000 Kip Deville. Cool Arrow has made one start since, finishing second in the inaugural Spendthrift Farm Stallion Stakes on Oct. 30 at Churchill. He will be making his two-turn debut Sunday.

“With any 2-year-old battling in stakes company, the two turns is always a question,” said Sharp, who trains Cool Arrow for Brad and Misty Grady. “Nothing he’s done to this point makes us believe he wouldn’t go two turns. He does everything well in hand.

“I think the flat mile is within his wheelhouse.”

◗ Sharp said the Fair Grounds-based Cool Arrow arrived at Remington on Wednesday.

Young American, by Congrats
Last 3 Beyers: 74-60-61

◗ He owns the field’s best career Beyer Speed Figure, a 74 earned for his late-running, 2 1/4-length win in a maiden special weight over 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 26. Following the race, Young American put himself under consideration for the Springboard.

“This horse is on form, and right now, he’s doing really, really well, and we really didn’t see a spot for him until probably late January or early February,” said Ken McPeek, who trains Young American for Stephen Baker. “We just figured we’d strike while the iron’s hot, see how good he is. He seems to be improving.”

◗ Young American will be shortening up a little in distance, and long range, McPeek said he looks for the horse to be at his best at races beyond a mile. Young American, who will break from post 6 under Corey Lanerie, was to ship to Remington from Oaklawn.

U S Officer, by U S Ranger
Last 3 Beyers: 61-61-50

◗ He enters the Springboard Mile on top of his game, having won the $100,000 Clever Trevor over seven furlongs Nov. 4 at Remington and a one-mile allowance at the track Oct. 14. Earlier in is career, U S Officer hooked eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Classic Empire in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor, running eighth to that one in the July 2 race at Churchill.

◗ U S Officer will break from post 4 under David Cabrera.

“He’s a horse that wants to settle and rally, so we’re going to hope that the others are in a hurry,” said trainer Danny Pish.

Cu Rahy, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 55-60-57

◗ Cu Rahy, a half-brother to Concealed Identity, a multiple stakes winner and earner of $461,140, is looking for his first stakes win after finishing third in both the Kip Deville and Clever Trevor.

◗ Cu Rahy is trained by Danele Durham, who in 2012 sent out Texas Bling to win the Springboard Mile at 128-1.