Cool Arrow ices the competition in the Springboard Mile

The $300,000 Springboard Mile featured feature a full-field of 12 juvenile males traveling one mile over the main track at Remington Park. Despite the large field and the far outside post of the favorite, the race turned out just a bit anticlimactic. That’s because Cool Arrow, piloted by Luis Saez, hustled right out of the starting gate and controlled the race from bell to wire, coasting to a 3 ½-length victory. 

Trained by Joe Sharp for owners Brad and Misty Grady, Cool Arrow came in off a solid second place finish in the Spendthrift Stallion Stakes at Churchill Downs six weeks ago. Before that, he was the sharp winner of the Kip Deville Stakes in his first visit to Remington Park. Off that recent form, the son of Into Mischief was made the 8-5 betting choice. 

With little early speed showing in the past performances of the Springboard Mile field, it was no surprise to see Saez ask Cool Arrow in the first furlong in an attempt to clear the field in the short run to the first turn. As it would turn out, this would be the most difficult portion of the race for the bay colt. Once he made the lead, Cool Arrow cruised on the front through easy early fractions of :24.68 and :49.79. 

Showing plenty still left in the tank, Cool Arrow scooted away from the rest at the top of the stretch. With a four-length lead at the eighth pole, the only question is who would emerge from the crowded pack behind him to claim second in the main event of a closing day program at the Oklahoma City oval.

“He had a good break and had a comfortable lead,” said Saez. “When he came to the stretch he took off. He moved very easy. When I felt some pressure at about a half-mile, I let him go a little bit and he took off.”

Totality, the 9-2 second choice, rallied up the rail from the middle of the pack to snare second-place money. U S Officer edged Rowdy the Warrior for third in the richest race for 2-year-olds in the Remington Park. The winning final time for the flat mile over the fast main track was 1:38.72. 

As the favorite, Cool Arrow returned $5.20, $3.40, and $3.40 across the board. The 12-5 exacta with the Steve Asmussen-trained Totality was good for an even $30.00, while the Trifecta completed by U S Officer paid $225.20.

A $120,000 Fasig-Tipton yearling purchase, Cool Arrow raised his record to 6-3-2-0, with earnings of $282,835. 

“The Kip Deville was the first step in the right direction for him,” said Sharp. “The patience has paid off from Brad (Grady, owner) and the crew. We are grateful of Luis to get him there. He did a great job to get a good position early and make the best out of a bad post position. Good horses will overcome that stuff.”