Horsemen wondering if their 2-year-old can hold his own around two turns in stakes company can have their questions answered Friday night in the Remington Springboard Mile. Aside from offering black-type status and a $300,000 purse, the two-turn test at Remington Park will also provide 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifying points to the top 5 finishers, making it no surprise a dozen 2-year-olds were entered.

1. Coal Battle (10-1 morning-line odds): Has raced on dirt twice and won twice, but each time it was on a wet track. Will move up in the mud, but the distance could be problematic on a dry surface.

JOCKEY: Juan Vargas; TRAINER: Lonnie Briley

2. Blue Angel (15-1): Won his debut at Remington – on a sloppy track – but the time was woefully slow. Comes from top connections and an elite sire and would not be surprised if he turns in a big effort here.

JOCKEY: David Cabrera; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

3. Speed King (7-2): Will be stretching out from a win at six furlongs in his debut to a mile here. Looked good winning at Churchill Downs in fast time and should be the one to catch here.

JOCKEY: Rafael Bejarano; TRAINER: Ron Moquett   

4. Dominant Spirit (15-1): Chased the pace and led in midstretch only to settle for second in the Clever Trevor Stakes here at Remington. Figures to be a main threat but may be a better fit for the bottom half of exotics.

JOCKEY: Jose Alvarez; TRAINER: Bret Calhoun

5. Brooklyn Alley Cat (20-1): Has won two in a row at Remington, one on turf and the most recent one on dirt. Seems to be on an upswing after losing his four starts and has a late kick that could be effective if the pace gets hot.

JOCKEY: Iram Diego; TRAINER: Danny Pish

6. Essay (20-1): A second starter from trainer Bret Calhoun, he flopped in a stakes in his first race at Remington but then rebounded to take an allowance race. That win came at 5 1/2 furlongs, which weakens his appeal at a mile.

JOCKEY: Richard Eramia; TRAINER: Bret Calhoun

Jolly Samurai winning Clever Trevor Stakes. (Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park)

7. Jolly Samurai (4-1): Rallied from sixth to win the seven-furlong Clever Trevor here. He’s 3-for-3, all at Remington Park, including a stakes win prior to the Clever Trevor. Looks like the hometown crowd’s best shot for a win.

JOCKEY: Rene Diaz; TRAINER: Danny Pish

8. Complex Music (8-1): Blossomed with a lopsided allowance win for trainer Steve Asmussen at Horseshoe Indianapolis last time out and should be fine at the distance. Looks like a major player in this field.

JOCKEY: Stewart Elliott; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

9. Dr Ruben M (6-1): Ships in from Santa Anita Park, where he posted a front-running win in a two-turn mile maiden race. Keeps getting better with each dirt start and cannot be ignored in this field.

JOCKEY: Edwin Maldonado; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

10. Medicine Dog (20-1): Was third in the Clever Trevor and then tired in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance race. Perhaps the last race was just a workout and he may perk up at a mile.

JOCKEY: Floyd Wethey  Jr.; TRAINER: Sarah Davidson

11. Mister Omaha (5-1): He’s won three in a row here, two in a stakes company. But they were in state-bred company and the post may also work against him in this field.

JOCKEY: Luis Quinonez; TRAINER: Joe Offolter

12. Keeno (12-1): A third entrant from Asmussen. He rebounded from an eighth-place finish in the Clever Trevor with a second to Brooklyn Alley Cat in an allowance race. Needs to take a big step forward to overcome this post and pose a threat at the finish line. 

JOCKEY: Jermaine Bridgmohan; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

THE PICK: Dr Ruben M

LIVE LONGSHOT: Brooklyn Alley Cat

SUPERFECTA: 9-3-7-5