First Look: 2 Kentucky Derby points preps lead stakes calendar

Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be awarded Saturday in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity and the Springboard Mile.

The graded-stakes calendar perks up over the holidays, but this is another thin weekend for graded events. So this edition of First Look digs a little deeper with early looks at the likely fields in other weekend stakes of interest.

Saturday

Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), Los Alamitos, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-olds, 10-4-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points

More than 80 horses were nominated here, but as of Sunday afternoon, only three trained were named as probables. All three are trained by Bob Baffert, who has won seven of the eight renewals of this race since it moved to Los Alamitos from Hollywood Park in 2014. Fort Bragg broke his maiden at this distance last out after finishing third then second in his first two starts. Carmel Road broke his maiden in August on second try and then finished 13th in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Arabian Lion led gate to wire in his debut and then was second last out in an allowance optional claiming race at Keeneland.

Springboard Mile, Remington Park, 1 mile, 2-year-olds, 10-4-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points

Giant Mischief is 2-for-2 after winning his debut at Horseshoe Indianapolis and an allowance optional claiming race at Keeneland. Prove Right is 0-for-7 since he broke his maiden in June, including a third-place finish in the Nashua (G3) two starts ago. Practical Move broke his maiden on third try at a mile before his third-place finish in the Bob Hope (G3).

Tinsel, Oaklawn, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

King Fury is looking for his first win this year after four starts, including a third-place finish behind Hot Rod Charlie and Rich Strike in the Lukas Classic (G2) two starts ago. Bal Harbour made his first start of the year in August with a fifth-place finish in the Alydar at Saratoga, then he won a claiming race and was third in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2). Barber Road would make his first start since finishing seventh in the Belmont Stakes.

New York Stallion Great White Way, Aqueduct, seven furlongs, 2-year-olds

Vacation Dance is 2-for-3 this year, winning his debut and then finishing third in the Futurity (G3) before a score in the black-type Atlantic Beach last out. Playingwithmatches beat the two top choices in breaking his maiden on second try at Aqueduct last month. Lifetime of Chance is 0-for-2, finishing third then second in his two starts.

New York Stallion Fifth Avenue, Aqueduct, seven furlongs, 2-year-old fillies

Les Bon Temps’s win in the Maid of the Mist brought her record to 5: 2-0-2. Midtown Lights broke her maiden in her third start on Dec. 3, and Our Rosie Diamonds broke her maiden Dec. 2 in her eighth start.

Sunday

King Glorious, Los Alamitos, 1 mile, 2-year-olds

Probables were not available, so the chart below lists the 10 nominees. Geezer would try two turns for the first time after three consecutive wins at six furlongs. Giver Not a Taker won the black-type I’m Smokin Stakes before finishing ninth in the Zuma Beach (G3) and then bouncing back with a runner-up effort in the Golden State Juvenile. California Chrome won this race in 2013, the last year it was held at Hollywood Park.