Shoplifted Takes Derby Points in Springboard Mile
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Photo: Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park
Shoplifted wins the Remington Springboard Mile
Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables, and LNJ Foxwoods' Shoplifted got a head in front at the last minute in the $400,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes for 2-year-olds going one mile Dec. 15 at Remington Park.
In the track's feature race on a card that included five other stakes, Shoplifted picked up 10 points toward a start in the 2020 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and is currently fourth on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. The Springboard Mile awarded 10-4-2-1 points to the top four finishers.
The Into Mischief colt, out of Shopit (by Yes It's True), last raced in the Nov. 1 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park, where he finished seventh. The colt had two other grade 1 tests before that effort, finishing fifth in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita and second in the Runhappy Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course after breaking his maiden on debut at the New York track in July.
Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Shoplifted bided his time off the pace in sixth for the majority of the race. After the break, a wall of horses five across vied for the lead heading into the first turn. Asmussen-trained Rowdy Yates emerged in front, pressed by Alternate Time and Maximiliano, to post a quarter-mile in :23.49 and a half-mile in :47.75.
Heading into the turn for home, others began to move up, with the favored Answer In making his move and Shoplifted inching closer as Maximiliano and Embolden took over on the lead. Embolden got to the front at the top of the stretch, but after traveling on the far outside, Shoplifted closed the distance and found another gear to chase down the leader as Answer In looked for racing room at the rail.
The three raced head to head momentarily, but Embolden was traveling slightly slower. Shoplifted held off Answer In by a head, while Embolden finished a half-length back in third. The final time on a fast track was 1:37.95.
"He broke really well today," Santana said. "He was sharp and finished very strong for me. I knew he might be something special when he broke his maiden at Saratoga."
Everett Dobson of Cheyenne Stables represented the ownership group.
"I have to give Steve Asmussen credit," Dobson said. "He told me (Shoplifted) could be competitive here and in this race and we're thrilled we came. I have great partners in this horse and they couldn't be any happier. It's great to be back in Oklahoma and win a race."
Bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall and Carrie and Craig Brogden, Shoplifted was an $800,000 purchase by Cromwell Bloodstock at The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select 2-year-olds in training sale in Florida, where he was consigned by McKathan Bros. He was previously purchased by Zayat Stables during the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $525,000 when he was consigned by Select Sales.
The colt has two wins and a second from five starts and earnings of $385,500. Shoplifted is from the female family of Claiborne sire Trappe Shot, recently sold to Turkey, and grade 1 winner Power Broker.