Churchill Downs officials announced Thursday in conjunction with the release of its 2019 spring stakes schedule that the purse for the Kentucky Derby has been increased to $3 million, the first raise for America’s most prestigious race in 14 years.
Grade 3, $100,702 Sham Stakes, one mile, Santa Anita, Jan. 5, 2019
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Gunmetal Gray, by Exchange Rate
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Jockey: Mike Smith
Owner: Hollendorfer, Pearl Racing, and West Point Thoroughbreds
Beyer Speed Figure: 82
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Last January, the Grade 1 winner Firenze Fire took the New York path to the Kentucky Derby, kicking off his 3-year-old season with a victory in the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct.
On Tuesday, Mind Control, who won last summer’s Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, will try to follow suit when he heads a field of six entered in the $150,000 Jerome, the feature of a nine-race New Year’s Day program at the Big A.
Listed, $400,000 Remington Springboard Mile, one mile, Remington Park, Dec. 16, 2018
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Long Range Toddy, by Take Charge Indy
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Richard Eramia
Owner: Willis Horton Racing LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 82
Long Range Toddy edged stablemate Bankit by a head to win the $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park on Sunday, closing out a dream meet for their Hall of Fame trainer, Steve Asmussen.
It was 2 1/2 lengths back to Dunph in third and another half-length back to Asmussen trainee Tone Broke in fourth.
The first four finishers in the Springboard Mile earned Kentucky Derby eligibility points on a scale of 10-4-2-1. The race Sunday also closed out the meet at Remington. It was the richest of six stakes on the card.
Grade 1, $300,345 Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity, 1 1/16 miles, Los Alamitos Race Course, Dec. 8, 2018
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Improbable, by City Zip
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd., and Starlight Racing
Beyer Speed Figure: 96
When Ghostzapper retired to stud at Adena Springs in 2006 there was never any question that he would be well patronized by breeders even at a $200,000 fee that proved unsustainable, since his nine wins in 11 starts included the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which earned him Horse of the Year honors.
Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct, Dec. 1, 2018
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Maximus Mischief, by Into Mischief
Trainer: Butch Reid
Jockey: Frankie Pennington
Owner: Cash is King LLC and LC Racing
Beyer Speed Figure: 97
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Maximus Mischief passed the audition.
Dominant in two sprints at his home base at Parx Racing, Maximus Mischief stepped up in company, stretched out in distance and handled both with aplomb, recording a 2 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct.
The victory not only kept Maximus Mischief perfect in three starts, it put him squarely on the 2019 Kentucky Derby trail. He earned 10 qualifying points toward the Derby with his Remsen win and will head to South Florida to prepare for his 3-year-old campaign.
Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 1 1/16 miles, Churchill Downs, Nov. 2, 2018
(20 Derby qualifying points for a win, 8 for second, 4 for third, 2 for fourth – CQ; the chart on the RTTD page has incorrect point values)
Winner: Game Winner, by Candy Ride
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner: Gary and Mary West
Beyer Speed Figure: 93
