Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby: Springboard Mile analysis

Listed, $200,000 Remington Springboard Mile, one mile, Remington Park, Dec. 18, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points available for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Senor Buscador, by Mineshaft
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Jockey: Luis Quinonez
Owner: Joe Peacock Jr.
Beyer Speed Figure: 93

This performance was visually impressive, and the Beyer figure came back strong. Unfortunately for SENOR BUSCADOR, he didn’t earn any points for this victory, even though 10 were available to the winner. In fact, only runner-up COWAN (4 points) gleaned any points, as he was the only horse to finish in the top four who did not race on Lasix. Churchill Downs has a policy for the 2021 Derby – which will be run Lasix-free – that any horse using Lasix in a prep is ineligible to earn points.

This was the first time that policy came into effect, as every other points-scoring race to date was conducted under conditions in which no one could use Lasix. That wasn’t the case here, and eight of the 10 runners used Lasix. It’s doubtful this will come up much in coming months, as all Derby preps to be run at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Gulfstream, Oaklawn, and Santa Anita, among others, will be run Lasix-free. Based on what he showed in this race, Senor Buscador will be a serious factor wherever he goes next, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn far more significant points while racing without Lasix.

It will be interesting to see if anyone tries to buy him privately, as horses like this – big fig, unbeaten, Derby prospect, homebred - are often highly sought after for motivated buyers and willing sellers.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

Senor Buscador won his lone previous try, also at Remington, while rallying from last to first in an eight-horse field while sprinting. In this race - his stakes debut and first try going two turns - Senor Buscador broke slowly from his rail draw and trailed into the first turn, dropping well off the pace. He began his rally from the three path on the far turn, accelerated sharply midway on the turn, was fanned to about the six path coming off the bend to go around the bunched leaders, rushed past the leaders in an instant, took one crack of the stick from Quinonez while powering clear, and cruised home much the best.

Cowan, who finished second, raced mid-pack early, checked slightly early on the first turn, and went around that turn about three paths wide. He followed JOE FRAZIER from the three path for most of the far turn before swinging to the four path coming off the bend, couldn’t stay with the winner in upper stretch, but kept to his task and finished well in front of everyone else. He had finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in his previous start, so he’s shown he’s equally adept on turf and dirt. This was his first route try after five sprints. He probably doesn’t want much farther than this, but trust his barn to spot him sensibly going forward.

RED N WILD, who was third, was shuffled back in a bit of traffic heading into the first turn, then raced in the clear in the two path for much of that turn. He raced in the three path on the far turn, fanned out to the five path coming off the bend while just inside Senor Buscador, and just did hold third in the closing yards. He might not want much farther than this.

SAFFA’S DAY, who was fourth, raced between rivals in the two path while forwardly placed around the first turn, continued between rivals while right behind OUTADORE to the far turn, lacked room for much of the far turn, couldn’t get a seam in upper stretch, finally got clear in deep stretch, and just missed getting up for third. With his pedigree (Carpe Diem out of a King of Kings mare), and the way he sits in traffic, he could be very effective if he tries turf.

Outadore, who was fifth, had good speed leaving the gate, went into the first turn in the three path, and advanced to a stalking position just outside the leader, FLASH OF MISCHIEF, heading into the backstretch. He raced alongside Flash of Mischief down the backstretch and around the far turn, took the lead briefly a quarter-mile out, fought it out to the furlong pole but capitulated in the final sixteenth. This was his first try on dirt after three grass races, including a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. It wasn’t a bad effort, but it wasn’t close to the ability he’s shown on turf.

Joe Frazier, who finished sixth, broke half a step slowly but rushed up from his outside post and wound up four paths wide around the first turn while advancing to a stalking position. He was just behind and outside of Outadore down the backstretch, was three paths wide on the far turn, came under aggressive handling midway on the turn, advanced to take a slight lead from Outadore heading into the lane, but lost his punch late. He’s not of this caliber, but this was a difficult trip. He broke poorly, rushed up during the opening quarter, showed grit heading into the lane to reach the top despite the wide trip, and yielded late. If placed with his friends next time, he could be a good gamble.

VIM AND VIGOR, who was seventh, saved ground around the first turn while toward the rear of the field, dropped back to last three furlongs out, continued to save ground on the far turn, but was always outrun and never showed any vim nor vigor.

NUMBER ONE DUDE, who was eighth, broke sharply and went into the first turn just behind the leaders while saving ground, followed Flash of Mischief into the far turn while continuing to save ground, but gave way through the lane. He won his first three starts in Oklahoma-bred races, all at Remington, earning a deserved roll against these, but he’ll be far better when returning to statebred company.

Flash of Mischief, who was ninth, left alertly from the outside box, was about three paths wide entering the first turn, but had enough speed to cross over and get to the rail before exiting that turn. He continued to lead down the backstretch and around the far turn, but retreated badly through the lane without a whole lot of fight. This was his first try around two turns and in a stakes. He should be okay with a return to softer and sprints.

GUSHING OIL, who finished last of 10, eased back between rivals soon after the start and was in front of only the winner around the first turn. He was shoved along three furlongs out, but had zero response and continued to retreat in a dull effort.