The Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds was the final Kentucky Derby 2025 prep race of the year, and Hard Spun colt Built hit the front from the get-go and rolled to an easy win. In this year-end report, I will recap the Remington Springboard Mile, Los Alamitos Futurity, and Gun Runner, update the Derby points standings, and share my exceptional 11 Derby contenders.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Race Recaps
Springboard Mile at Remington Park (12-13-24): This did not seem like a strong race (final furlong in 13.92). Post time favorite Speed King set a pressured pace and got clear in the stretch, but Louisiana shipper Coal Battle settled in 8th of 12 from the inside post, and he came running in the stretch and won by a half-length. Speed King was clearly second best and inside stalker Dominant Spirit was best of the rest in third. Pact prompter Dr Ruben M weakened to fourth and ended up a neck in front of my top choice Jolly Samurai, and the other seven entrants failed to make a serious impact. Juan Vargas rode the winner for Lonnie Briley. Fractions: 23.93, 47.46, 1:12.21, 1:25.33, 1:39.25.
Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos Race Course (12-13-24): I have mixed feelings about this race (5-horse field with two maidens). Getaway Car seems to have distance limitations and strong favorite Gaming did not come close to running his best race, so that left Journalism as the sharp winner. The latter received a smart outside tactical trip from post 5 under Umberto Rispoli, and he pounced on front runner Getaway Car and kicked away by 3 1/2 lengths. Getaway Car was clearly second best and Gaming was a clear third in a flat effort. Maidens Rank and Mellencamp also ran. Michael McCarthy saddled the winner. Fractions: 23.93, 47.75, 1:11.87, 1:36.58, 1:43.04.
Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds (12-21-24): Short 5-horse field with two runners stumbling at the start (Render Judgment, Admiral Dennis). Built did not have to work very hard to secure the early lead from the inside post, and that was the ballgame. He controlled proceedings on the front end and bounded away to score by 6 3/4 lengths. Magnitude chased from second and was clearly second best, and Render Judgment was 7 lengths clear of my top choice Admiral Dennis. The latter was supposed to press comfortably from the outside post (think Journalism in the Los Al Futurity), but he stumbled out of the gate and lost his best chance. He tried to launch a wide rally but the race flow was against him and he failed to make an impact, and he drops out of my top 11 Derby contenders. Chris’s Revenge, a 26-1 outsider, trailed, Jareth Loveberry guided home the winner for Wayne Catalano. Fractions: 24.64, 49.23, 1:13.77, 1:37.27, 1:43.53.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Race Results
Iroquois (10-5-3-2-1) – Sept. 14 – Winner: Jonathan’s Way ($4.52)
Champagne (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – Winner: Chancer McPatrick ($3.10)
American Pharoah (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – Citizen Bull ($8.60)
Breeders’ Futurity (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – East Avenue ($7.56)
Street Sense (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 27 – Winner: Sovereignty ($4.86)
BC Juvenile (30-15-9-6-3) – Nov. 1 – Winner: Citizen Bull ($33.80)
Ky Jockey Club (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 30 – Winner: First Resort ($14.66)
Remsen (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 7 – Winner: Poster ($11.60)
Springboard Mile (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 13 – Winner: Coal Battle ($15.80)
Los Al Futurity (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 14 – Winner: Journalism ($7.60)
Gun Runner (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 21 – Winner: Built ($9.80)
Upcoming Derby Points Races Races:
Jerome (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 4
Smarty Jones (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 4
Lecomte (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 18
Southwest (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 25
Holy Bull (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1
Robert Lewis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1
Withers (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1
Sam F. Davis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8
Risen Star (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 15
Sunland Derby (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 16
John Battaglia Memorial (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 22
Rebel (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 22
Fountain of Youth (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Gotham (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
San Felipe (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Tampa Bay Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 8
Virginia Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 15
Jeff Ruby Steaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22
Louisiana Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22
Arkansas Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29
Florida Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29
Blue Grass (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
SA Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
UAE Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
Wood Memorial (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
Lexington (20-10-6-4-2) – April 12
Top 23 Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Leaders (thru 12-31-24)
Citizen Bull (40 points)
Gaming (18 points)
Getaway Car (16 points)
Jonathan’s Way (15 points)
Chancer McPatrick (10 points)
East Avenue (10 points)
First Resort (10 points)
Coal Battle (10 points)
Poster (10 points)
Journalism (10 points)
Sovereignty (10 points)
Built (10 points)
Hill Road (9 points)
Tiztastic (8 points)
Ferocious (8 points)
Dapper Moon (6 points)
Owen Almighty (5 points)
Tip Top Thomas (5 points)
Speed King (5 points)
Aviator Gui (5 points)
Magnitude (5 points)
Sandman (4 points)
Render Judgment (4 points)
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven” Kentucky Derby 2025 Contenders (12-31-24)
1 – Sovereignty (Into Mischief – Crowned, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Bill Mott – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: His late running maiden win in the Street Sense (G3) under the Twin Spires was decisive. He seems to possess all of the tools to be a major player on the road to the Derby, and I am looking forward to seeing what he can do on the racetrack next year. He got back on the worktab with a 3f breeze in 38.00 (11/30) at Payson park on Dec. 24.
2 – Patch Adams (Into Mischief – Well Humored, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (2)
Comments: His extended sprint maiden win second time out was fast and strong. He worked an easy half-mile in 50.60 (37.55) at Payson Park Dec. 21 and clearly has a ton of talent and raw ability. He figures to try two turns in the near future.
3 – East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro – Dance Music, by Ghostzapper) – Trainer: Brendan Walsh – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: His first two wire jobs were outstanding, and he lost all chance after stumbling at the start in the G1 BC Juvenile. The talent is there and he has the speed to succeed, but he must still prove that he can overcome something and run a quality race.
4 – Barnes (Into Mischief – All American Dream, by American Pharoah) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (6)
Comments: He narrowly won his dirt sprint bow at Oaklawn Park and that was a nice education run. He defeated Innovator last time and that one returned to finish second in the Advent Dec. 6, and he picked up his maiden win Dec. 29. With his debut victory behind him, Baffert’s $3.2 million colt figures to jump on the Derby trail in the near future. He worked 3f in 37.20 (12/18) on Dec. 8, a half-mile in 48.00 (7/66) on Dec. 15, a 6f gate bullet in 1:12.80 (1/6) on Dec. 22, and an easy half-mile move in 48.80 (21/62) on Dec. 29. He goes next in the Grade 2 San Vicente (7 furlongs) at Santa Anita on Jan. 4.
5 – Journalism (Curlin – Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Last Ranking (7)
Comments: He is getting better as distances increase. He smartly graduated at one mile second time out, and he was impressive again in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) Dec. 14. Races such as the Robert Lewis (Feb. 1), G2 San Felipe (March 1), and G1 SA Derby (April 5) are on the table, along with Derby preps at Oaklawn Park.
6 – Citizen Bull (Into Mischief – No Joke, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (6)
Comments: The 2-year-old title is all his after back-to-back front running victories in the G1 American Pharoah and G1 BC Juvenile. One thing is for certain. Give this one a clear early lead through moderate fractions and he won’t look back. How will he react when everything does not go his way? He has worked three times since his last start including a fast 5f move in 59.40 (2/59) at Santa Anita on Dec. 28.
7 – Gaming (Game Winner – So Stylish, by Johannesburg) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: I am not sure what happened in the G2 Los Al Futurity but he was as flat as a pancake that day. A pattern is developing after four starts. He won his first two dirt sprints including the G1 Del Mar Futurity, and he was second in the G1 BC Juvenile and third in the G2 Los Al Futurity. Does he have distance limitations? He got back to work with a 5f move in 1:02.60 (44/59) at Santa Anita on Dec. 28.
8 – Bullard (Gun Runner – Reve d’Amour, by Warrior’s Reward) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Last Ranking (8)
Comments: This one sure is promising after back-to-back sprint wins including the G3 Bob Hope. He sports four works at Santa Anita since his last start including a 5f move in 1:00.80 (15/59) on Dec. 28. He is entered in the San Vicente (G2) Jan. 4.
9 – Hot Property (Medaglia d’Oro – Milwaukee Appeal, by Milwaukee Brew) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (10)
Comments: He got out there and controlled the pace in his dirt route bow at Fair Grounds. He breezed four times in New Orleans since that victory including a half-mile move in 49.20 (38/134) on Dec. 29. He is entered in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn (Jan. 4) and is the 8-5 morning line favorite.
10 – Romanesque (Practical Joke – Mony’slittlegracie, by Alphabet Soup) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (11)
Comments: Baffert has many promising runners and this one started on the right foot with a prominent throughout debut sprint win over his stablemate Rodriguez. He has worked four since his bow, most recently traveling a half-mile in 47.80 (15/67) on Dec. 30. He is part of a 5-horse field in the San Vicente on Jan. 4.
11 – Gunmetal (Gun Runner – Classy Dancer, by Speightstown) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (unranked)
Comments: This $410k yearling purchase made his debut in a 6f dirt sprint at Fair Grounds on Dec. 26. He was 3-1 that day and he pressed from second and edged away to score by a length and a quarter, and runner-up Prime Power was 7 1/4 lengths in front of show finisher Fanatical. The final time was a fast 1:09.85 and he is bred to handle a route of ground.
Next Nine: (12) Chancer McPatrick, (13) Getaway Car, (14) First Resort, (15) Jonathan’s Way, (16) Poster, (17) Madaket Road, (18) Rodriguez, (19) Admiral Dennis, (20) Tappan Street
