HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – When the rains came just prior to the Cigar Mile last month at Aqueduct, trainer Kelly Breen called an audible and sent Firenze Fire down to South Florida instead, where he ran a close second in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector. And with a forecast for rain once again in New York this week, Breen chose to take a similar path with his Grade 3-winning 3-year-old prospect Pickin’ Time, who will skip Friday’s Jerome at Aqueduct to face nine rivals, including likely favorite Mutasaabeq, the following afternoon in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream Park.

Jackie’s Warrior, who was on track to be 2-year-old champion of 2020 before finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, had his first post-Breeders’ Cup timed workout when he went a half-mile in 52.60 seconds Tuesday at Fair Grounds.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The trend the past couple of years with California-based preps for the Kentucky Derby has been for lightly raced, late-developing types to emerge, and that could continue this year during the Santa Anita meeting that begins Saturday.

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

Grade 2, $200,500 Los Alamitos Futurity, 1 1/16 miles, Los Alamitos, Dec. 19, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Spielberg, by Union Rags
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owners: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm LLC, and Robert Masterson
Beyer Speed Figure: 81

Outadore and Cowan will attempt to hit pay dirt Friday night when both Breeders’ Cup runners switch to the main track for the $200,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park.

And, the dirt offers more than just a sizable paycheck. The first four finishers in the Springboard Mile will earn Kentucky Derby eligibility points on a sliding scale of 10-4-2-1.

Grade 2, $145,500 Remsen Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct, Dec. 5, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Brooklyn Strong, by Wicked Strong
Trainer: Daniel Velazquez
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner: Mark Schwartz
Beyer Speed Figure: 93

Grade 2, $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Churchill Downs, Nov. 28, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Keepmeinmind, by Laoban
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: David Cohen
Owner: Cypress Creek LLC and Arnold Bennewith
Beyer Speed Figure: 79

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 23nd year of Churchill Downs offering parimutuel futures on the Kentucky Derby starts Thursday, when the first of five pools toward the 2021 Derby opens at noon Eastern.

Familiar parameters apply – 22 separately listed wagering interests, along with a mutuel field (No. 24) that has closed as the Pool 1 favorite every year since Churchill first unveiled the Kentucky Derby Future Wager in 1999. Also, a “filly-only” interest will be offered again as No. 23.

Grade 1, $250,000 Champagne Stakes, one mile, Belmont Park, Oct. 10, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Jackie’s Warrior, by Maclean’s Music
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner: Kirk and Judy Robison
Beyer Speed Figure: 100