Shoplifted steals the Springboard Mile for a Derby trail win

Shoplifted, a non-factor in a pair of west coast stakes races around two turns, resurfaced over a track much more kind to the Steve Asmussen barn on Sunday when he, well, stole the $400,000 Springboard Mile.

Under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., the son of Into Mischief out-dueled favored Answer In and Embolden in a three-wide finish to the 2020 Kentucky Derby prep at Remington Park, putting recent results of fifth in Santa Anita Park's American Pharoah Stakes (G1) and seventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile behind him.

“We always had confidence in this horse since he broke his maiden at Saratoga," Santana Jr. said. "We know that this horse is much better than he was running. We were taking his time with him."

Asmussen won Oklahoma City’s annual Derby points race for a record sixth time, with Shoplifted earning 10 toward qualifying for the May 2, 2020, race at Churchill Downs. Behind Answer In (4 points) and Embolden (2), another from the Asmussen barn, Jungle Runner (1), ran fourth.

Rallying from mid-pack off opening fractions of 23.49 for the quarter mile and 47.75 for the half, Shoplifted was widest of the trio on the track, edging away for a head victory in a final time of 1:37.95.

"He was pretty sharp," Santana Jr. said after guiding Shoplifted to a wide but clear trip. "He broke really good today. He put me in a great spot and finished the race really well."

Shoplifted, who’s campaigned by Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables and LNJ Foxwoods, broke his maiden on July 27 at Saratoga before finishing second in the Hopeful Stakes (G1). Back from the west coast, he began living up to a six-figure price tag.

Cheyenne Stables' Everett Dobson said he was an underbidder when Shoplifted fetched $525,000 as a yearling. He made sure to nab the colt as a 2-year-old for a hefty $800,000.

"I've got to give Steve Asmussen a lot of credit," Dobson said, "He said, 'I think this horse can be competitive here and may have a chance to win.' Here we are -- great day."

Shoplifted, away at 4-1 in the field of 11 2-year-olds, returned $10.60 to win.