The spotlight of the racing world shifts to Oklahoma City as Remington Park prepares to host its signature event, the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile. This race serves as a critical juncture for two-year-olds looking to secure their spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
As a designated points (10-5-3-2) race for the Kentucky Derby, the stakes couldn't be higher for the owners, trainers, and jockeys involved. Enthusiasts looking for the best Springboard Mile odds will find a field brimming with talent, ranging from locally-based heroes to high-profile shippers from the powerhouse barns of New York and Kentucky.
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 20, 2025. The Springboard Mile serves as the centerpiece of a spectacular night of racing at Remington Park. While the full card typically begins in the early evening, the main event usually goes off as the late-night feature.
Fans should prepare for a post time around 11:25 PM ET, though checking the official racebook is essential for precise timing. To get the most out of your Springboard Mile betting experience, ensure you are logged into the BUSR Experience platform at least thirty minutes before the start to catch the final warm-ups and late money shifts in the betting pools.
Oklahoma weather in late December is notoriously fickle, and the 2025 forecast suggests a brisk evening at the track. Current projections indicate temperatures hovering in the low 40s (Fahrenheit) at post time with a slight northwesterly breeze. While the track surface at Remington Park is renowned for its consistency and moisture tolerance, a "fast" track is currently expected. For those analyzing Springboard Mile odds, keep a close eye on any late-day precipitation, as a "sloppy" or "muddy" track could significantly favor the front-running speedsters or those with proven off-track pedigrees like the progeny of Not This Time or Gun Runner.
The Springboard Mile isn't the only highlight of the weekend. The Friday and Saturday cards at Remington are packed with stakes action, including the Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial S. for two-year-old fillies and several lucrative overnight handicaps. Trainers often use these undercard races to showcase their rising stars, making it a goldmine for astute handicappers. When you prepare to engage in Springboard Mile betting, look at the results of the early dirt sprints on the card. If the track is playing "speed-biased," it might be wise to upgrade horses like Arctic Beast or Western Man who prefer to be near the lead.
The Springboard Mile has a rich history of producing top-tier talent. In recent years, we have seen winners like Senor Buscador and Greyvitos leverage this race into successful Triple Crown trail campaigns. Historically, the race favors horses with a strong foundation in Kentucky or New York, but local Oklahoma-breds frequently outrun their odds.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Express Kid | Jose L Alvarez | Wade Rarick | Steve Haahr | 1:38.99 |
| 2024 | Coal Battle | Juan P. Vargas | Lonnie Briley | Norman Stables LLC | 1:39.25 |
| 2023 | Otto the Conqueror | Tyler Gaffalione | Steven M. Asmussen | Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba) | 1:39.91 |
| 2022 | Wildatlanticstorm | Leandro D. Goncalves | H. Ray Ashford, Jr. | Jim Jorgensen | 1:38.24 |
| 2021 | Make It Big | José Ortiz | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Red Oak Stable | 1:41.23 |
| 2020 | Senor Buscador | Luis S. Quinonez | Todd W. Fincher | Joe R. Peacock Jr. | 1:37.87 |
Analyzing past winners shows that a tactical stalking position is often the winning trip. Those who bet on Springboard Mile winners often find success by backing horses that can sit just off a hot pace and pounce at the top of the Remington Park stretch, which features a demanding 1,100-foot run to the wire.
Trainer Michael Maker ships this talented son of Yaupon into Oklahoma with high expectations. Arctic Beast is coming off a professional victory in the 2025 New York Breeders' Futurity, proving his class against tough regional competition. With Ricardo Santana, Jr. in the irons, expect this colt to be prominently placed early. His 6.34 rating indicates he is among the most consistent performers in the field. For those looking at Springboard Mile odds, Arctic Beast offers a high-floor option who has already shown he can handle the pressure of a stakes environment.
The legendary Steve Asmussen brings Time For Music to the table, a son of the red-hot sire Not This Time. This colt recently finished a strong second at Churchill Downs in an Allowance Optional Claiming event on November 29th. Ridden by Erik Asmussen, this horse possesses the tactical speed necessary to navigate the inside draw. His pedigree suggests he will relish the mile distance, making him a prime target for Springboard Mile betting enthusiasts who value Churchill Downs form.
Trainer Danny Pish saddles Essential Time, a son of the champion Essential Quality. This colt finished third at Remington Park on November 6th and has the benefit of "home-field advantage." Iram Vargas Diego knows this track as well as anyone, and if the pace gets contested, Essential Time could be the one closing late. While his 5.59 rating is slightly lower than the favorites, his familiarity with the Remington surface is an intangible factor that could lead to an upset.
Royalamerican enters the fray following a convincing win in the Don C. McNeill Stakes. Trainer C.R. Trout has a long history of success at Remington Park, and David Cabrera is a perennial leading rider here. This son of Upstart may be overlooked in the Springboard Mile odds, but his 91 speed figure in his last start indicates he is moving in the right direction. He is a must-include for any exotic bets like Exactas or Trifectas.
Representing the Stetson Rushton barn, My Dream Zapper is a son of the legendary Ghostzapper. After a gutsy second-place finish in the Gold Rush Futurity, he steps up to a mile for the first time. Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez will need to find a way to save ground from the middle of the pack. While he is a longshot, the Ghostzapper bloodline often improves with distance, making him an intriguing "dark horse" for those who want to bet on Springboard Mile longshots.
Kenny McPeek is never afraid to ship a horse where the money is, and Supreme Good looks like a live runner. This son of Supremacy won his maiden at Aqueduct in impressive fashion back in September. With Christopher Elliott traveling to ride, the intent is clear. Supreme Good has been freshened for this spot and could easily outrun his 8-1 morning line if he handles the cross-country trip.
The morning line favorite is another Steve Asmussen trainee, Spice Runner. Despite a 7th-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), his 6.74 rating remains the highest in the field. He is a son of the world-class Gun Runner, and Stewart Elliott is one of the most patient riders in the game. If you are looking for the strongest Springboard Mile odds, Spice Runner is the class of the field on paper and should find this competition much easier than what he faced at Churchill Downs.
Steve Asmussen’s third entry, Way Beyond, is a son of Twirling Candy. He finished 4th in the Jean Lafitte Stakes and gets the services of Ramon Vazquez. While he hasn't reached the heights of his stablemate Spice Runner, he is a hard-knocking colt that always gives an honest effort. In a race like this, a clean trip can be the difference between winning and losing, and Vazquez is an expert at navigating traffic.
Western Man is a local hope trained by Joe Offolter. He broke his maiden in fine style at Remington Park on November 28th, recording a 102 speed figure that matches up well with the favorites. Richard Eramia is a veteran who knows how to win these big races. For those involved in Springboard Mile betting, Western Man represents the best local value, as he already has a winning "win over the track" under his belt.
Daniel Leitch brings Big Apple Patrick, a Union Rags colt coming off a third-place finish at Churchill Downs. Walter Rodriguez takes the mount on this big-bodied runner who looks like he wants every bit of the mile distance. His 6.12 rating puts him right in the mix with the secondary tier of contenders. If the track is playing slow and tiring, his stamina could be a major asset in the final furlong.
Ron Moquett, trainer of the legendary Whitmore, brings Jets Rio to the dance. This Candy Ride colt won his maiden at Remington on November 20th. While the 30-1 Springboard Mile odds suggest he is an outsider, the Candy Ride/Ron Moquett combination is always dangerous. He showed a nice turn of foot in his debut and could be the "hidden" horse in this year's field.
Rounding out the field is Express Kid, a son of Bodexpress. Trainer Wade Rarick and jockey Jose Alvarez teamed up for a nice Allowance win on November 6th. This colt has shown high cruising speed, but the outside post 12 is a significant hurdle to overcome in a mile race starting so close to the turn. He will need to work hard early to clear the field, which might leave him vulnerable late.
The 2025 edition of the Springboard Mile looks like a classic confrontation between Asmussen’s power and the local Remington elite. Spice Runner is the logical choice based on his superior rating and Gun Runner pedigree, but he must bounce back from a lackluster effort in Kentucky. We spot Western Man at 20-1; his recent speed figure at Remington was exceptional, and he clearly loves the surface.
If you plan to bet on Springboard Mile, a tactical play would be to key Spice Runner on top of your exotics while using the local speed like Western Man and Royalamerican underneath to maximize your potential payout.
To maximize your ROI on Saturday night, pay close attention to the track bias during the first three races of the card. If horses are winning from far back, it upgrades the chances of Essential Time and Big Apple Patrick. If the rail is "golden," then Time For Music becomes the primary target. Remember that the Springboard Mile is often a "bridge-jumping" race where the favorites can be vulnerable to a horse with local experience. Spread your tickets, watch the late money, and enjoy one of the most exciting nights of the winter racing season.
The 2025 Springboard Mile promises high-octane drama, Kentucky Derby dreams, and unparalleled betting opportunities. Whether you are backing the favorite or hunting for a 20-1 local hero, the atmosphere at Remington Park will be electric. Don't miss your chance to witness the next generation of racing stars. Stay tuned to US Racing, grab the best odds, and place your bets to be part of the Oklahoma racing tradition that defines the road to the Roses.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
