Saturday guide: 2 Derby preps and a partridge in a pear tree

On this Saturday before Christmas, two Kentucky Derby preps are on the list - the Gun Runner at Fair Grounds and the Remington Springboard Mile. Each listed stakes offers 10-5-3-2-1 Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.

The Gun Runner drew eight 2-year-old colts for the 1 1/16-mile test on dirt. Buzzy maiden winner Liberty National is one of two in for Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek. Liberty National is sired by first-crop stallion Maxfield and comes in off his maiden-breaking win at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29. McPeek's other entry is Very Connected, a son of Connect who finished fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club stakes (G2) the same day.

Brad Cox has three entrants, all aiming to take the next step forward on the Derby trail. Mister Punch, a son of Into Mischief, has the best HRN speed fig of the stable at 100 from his win at Churchill Downs in a maiden claiming race on Nov. 5. Next up is Arabia Wild, winner at Fair Grounds on Nov. 22 with a 94 HRN speed fig and Quality Mischief, another Into Mischief colt who broke his maiden at Horseshoe Indiana with a 93.

Mike Maker has Crown the Buckeye, an Ohio-bred son of leading freshman sire Yaupon who notched a stakes win in the 1 1/16-mile Radosevich Memorial at Mahoning Valley on Oct. 25. With that win Crown the Buckeye earned the highest HRN speed figure of the field, a 116.

Finally, Steve Asmussen and Cherie DeVaux send out Chip Honcho and Mesquite, respectively.

Saturday night in Oklahoma is the Remington Springboard Mile, which drew 12 entries. Mike Maker sends out the top speed figure earner here as well, Arctic Beast, another son of Yaupon, this one a New York-bred. He earned a 118 HRN fig in his runner-up performance in the New York Breeders' Futurity at Finger Lakes on Oct. 13. 

Steve Asmussen has three entries, headlined by his Grade 3 winner Spice Runner. Spice Runner comes here off a poor effort in the Kentucky Jockey Club, but could bounce back. Two stablemates who could be on the improve are Time for Music, a son of Not This Time who finished second on Nov 29 in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. Way Beyond, a Twirling Candy colt, finished fourth in the Jean Lafitte stakes at Delta Downs on Nov. 26.

Local prep winner Royalamerican won the Don C. McNeil stakes here on Nov. 7 for trainer C. R. trout.

The Gun Runner is Race 11, post time 6:45 p.m. EST. The Remington Springboard Mile is race 12, 11:26 p.m. EST.

Coverage of both races will be on FanDuel TV.

Free past performances for this weekend's stakes are courtesy of Brisnet. 

Here are the top 2025 speed figures for the Gun Runner entrants.

Here are the top 2025 speed figures for the Remington Springboard Mile entrants.

*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are provided courtesy of Daily Racing Form.

HRN Handicappers

HRN's Ed DeRosa thinks the Ohio-bred has the advantage in the Gun Runner - see why. 

An intriguing shipper is worth an extra look in the Springboard Mile.

HorseCenter's Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman have you covered for plays on the Gun Runner and Springboard Mile. 

On the Ron Flatter Racing Pod, racing insiders from around the globe share their favorite moments of the year. Get the scoop from Japan's Kate Hunter, Lee Mottershead reports from England, Steve Moran calls in from Melbourne Australia, and closer to home, John Cherwa has the scoop from California. Listen here. 

Get weekly analysis on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Start today and get Santa Anita opening day. 

2025 Gun Runner LS

2025 Remington Springboard Mile LS