In a two-horse throwdown, Otto the Conqueror outdueled the previously unbeaten Glengarry and inched away to post a three-quarters of a length victory in the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes on Dec. 15.

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Routing for the first time in the Friday evening race at Remington Park, both juveniles grew tired down the stretch, with a final furlong from the winner in :14.65 following taxing middle fractions. Third-place finisher Magic Grant was hard-charging at them at the finish.

After pressing splits of :23.48, :46.35 and 1:11.40, Otto the Conqueror reached the wire after a mile on a muddy track in 1:39.91 under Tyler Gaffalione. The colt paid $4.80 to win, improving to 3-for-4 and capturing his first stakes win. His victory gave Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen his seventh win in the Springboard Mile.

"My horse was there for me the whole way," said Gaffalione.

The win gives Otto The Conqueror 10 qualifying points on the Road to the 2024 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. Five of the six horses in the race earned points, which were distributed on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale to the top five finishers.

"It's off to Hot Springs. Derby trail, here we come," Asmussen said, referring to Oaklawn Park. "You just saw two nice horses hooked up from start to finish."