OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Willis Horton Racing’s homebred Long Range Toddy followed up his win in the local prep last month with a gutsy, magical performance to outlast his stablemate Bankit and win Sunday’s $400,000 Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park.
Breaking well from post 5 under Richard Eramia at 18/1 odds, Long Range Toddy wasn’t able to clear his inside foes before entering the first turn and was forced to ride three-wide through it. Meanwhile, Dobbins G took the early command and posted opening fractions of :24.13 and :48.76 before yielding control to Dunph heading into the far turn. Looking for running room from the catbird seat, Long Range Toddy straightened for home and tipped out to run four-wide. Wrestling the lead away inside the final furlong, Long Range Toddy began to kick clear, but fellow Steve Asmussen trainee Bankit emerged with a late run and closed strongly. The wire came just in time for Long Range Toddy, who crossed with a head advantage in a final time of 1:39.75 for the 8-furlong event over the fast main track.
Dunph was unable to keep pace with the top pair and faded late but had just enough left to garnish third over Tone Broke by a 1/2-length. Marquee Prince fell off after closely tracking the early pace and weakened to fifth, while the 6/5 favorite Epic Dreamer floundered and was able to just head D Toz for sixth. Kaziranga, a spent Dobbins G, Tobacco Road, and Six Shooter completed the order of finish.
The Springboard Mile is part of the Road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby prep race season. Long Range Toddy earned 10 points for the win, with Bankit receiving 4 for second, Dunph 2 for third, and Tone Broke 1 for fourth.
Long Range Toddy’s win was his third straight, following his maiden-breaking effort two back and his $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes score last out. The juvenile son of Take Charge Indy increased his lifetime bankroll to $321,125.
“He’s a beautiful colt, a home-bred of Mr. Horton’s,” Asmussen said. “It was a nice win and I’m proud of him and Bankit.”
Long Range Toddy returned $39.20 to win, $14 to place, and $7.20 to show. Bankit brought back $4.80 to place and $3.80 to show, while Dunph paid $4.80 to show.
