By Jarrod Horak
The is my final Kentucky Derby 2024 report for 2023. I recapped the first eight points races in my initial Kentucky Derby report earlier this month, and I will look back at the Springboard Mile, Los Alamitos Futurity, and Gun Runner Stakes in this article.
Kentucky Derby 2024 Points Race Results
Springboard Mile – Dec. 15 (Remington Park)
Fractions: 23.48, 46.35, 1:11.40, 1:25.26, 1:39.91
Top 5 Finishers: Otto the Conqueror, Glengarry, Magic Grant, Third Street, My Buddy Mel
Glengarry and Tyler Gaffalione tried to sneak away early but Luis Saez and Otto the Conqueror were having none of that. Glengarry was inside and Otto the Conqueror was on the outside, and those two matched strides throughout. Otto the Conqueror had a bit more to offer in the lane and he scored by a bit less than a length. Glengarry dueled inside and held the place over late runner Magic Grant. The latter was making up ground in the lane but ran out of real estate, and he ended up 6 1/2 lengths clear of the rest. California shipper Raging Torrent was bet down to favoritism and was pinched back early, moved into contention, and faded to last. This was not a fast race and final fraction was slow (14.65). Glengarry lost for the first time and is expected to return to sprinting.
Los Alamitos Futurity – Dec. 16 (Los Alamitos Race Course)
Fractions: 23.53, 47.90, 1:12.05, 1:37.01, 1:43.53
Top 5 Finishers: Wynstock, Stronghold, Coach Prime, Wine Me Up, Ace of Clubs
Bob Baffert saddled 60% of the entrants and his least fancied runner Wynstock wired the field under Kyle Frey. My top choice Stronghold worked out a nice inside tactical trip under Antonio Fresu. He made his move in the lane and poked his head in front and exchanged bumps with Wystock. The latter dug in, regained the advantage late, and got the job done by a half-length. Stronghold held the place over beaten favorite Coach Prime. The latter was last of 5 for the opening half-mile, and he raced wide throughout and was slowly getting to the top two under Flavien Prat. Wine Me Up was well-backed at 1.90-1, and he stalked wide and finished a flat 4th. Ace of Clubs chased the pace early and retreated to last. The one horse I probably want out of this race is Coach Prime. He was making his first start since Nov. 10 and only had two published works for this engagement, and he raced wide throughout and was only beaten a length. As mentioned in my recent Kentucky Oaks report, Bob Baffert trainees are ineligible to earn points or compete in the 2024 Oaks and Derby. Look for some of the Baffert runners to switch barns next year.
Click here to read the rest of this article at Today's Racing Digest
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