Otto the Conqueror outduels Glengarry in Springboard Mile

Otto the Conqueror edged a relentless Glengarry by three-quarters of a length Friday night at Remington Park, winning both the $300,000 Springboard Mile and 10 points for the 2024 Kentucky Derby. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to Magic Grant.

The Springboard Mile, for 2-year-olds, was showcased on a card of six stakes worth a total of $625,000.

Glengarry picked up five points for the Kentucky Derby, while Magic Grant earned three; fourth-place finisher Third Street picked up two; and fifth-place finisher My Buddy Mel, one.

Otto the Conqueror ($4.80) pressed Glengarry through fractions of 23.48 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.35 for the half-mile, and 1:11.40 for six furlongs on the muddy track.

The pair continued on together into the stretch, with Glengarry fighting back along the rail as Otto the Conqueror worked to conquer the leader. The winner succeeded in the very late stages, covering the distance in 1:39.91.

“My horse was there for me the whole way,” winning rider Tyler Gaffalione said in a post-race interview broadcast by Remington.

Steve Asmussen trains Otto the Conqueror, who gave him his seventh win in the Springboard. The barn’s past winners were Shoplifted in 2019, Long Range Toddy (2018), Bayerd (2014), Test Boy( 2005), Smooth Bid (2004) and Shawklit Man (2002).

Asmussen said Otto the Conqueror would now head to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

“Obviously, with him having success here, on the Derby trail we begin,” Asmussen said in an interview broadcast by Remington.

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Otto the Conqueror came into the Springboard Mile off a first-level allowance win Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs. The runner-up from the race, Honor Marie, came back in his next start to win the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, and the third-place finisher, Just Steel, went on to win the Ed Brown.

Glengarry came into the Springboard Mile with a 3-for-3 record that included a win in the Bowman Mill at Keeneland.

The Springboard Mile field went with six horses after three defections. Fidget, Gettysburg Address, and Rhino Runner were all scratched from the race by their trainers, according to the Remington stewards.

Brad Cox, the trainer of Fidget and Gettysburg, scratched all four of his entries on Friday’s card. He did not return messages seeking comment.

Otto the Conqueror is now 3 for 4 with earnings of $337,360. He was a $450,000 purchase as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale in 2022. Otto the Conqueror is by Street Sense. His dam is Grade 3 winner Dream It Is.

During the card, Asmussen was honored for winning his 18th training title at Remington. The meet closes Saturday with a special afternoon card that begins at 2:30 p.m. Central.

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