Dec. 16 (UPI) witnessed a remarkable chapter written in the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” narrative as the Los Alamitos Futurity winner emerged. This weekend was filled with various Kentucky Derby-related events, including the Remington Springboard Mile and Turfway Park's four $250,000 races. Fair Grounds also celebrated Louisiana-breds.

Unraveling the Path to the Kentucky Derby

The Los Alamitos Futurity

Saddling only three of the five starters wasn't enough for trainer Bob Baffert to claim his eighth victory in the Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity. Instead, it was Journalism, a Curlin colt from the Mike McCarthy barn, that stole the show. With Umberto Rispoli in the saddle, Journalism tracked the pacesetters into the stretch, took the lead with a furlong to go, and never looked back, winning by 3 1/2 lengths. McCarthy expressed his satisfaction, saying, "We gave this horse every opportunity not to run today. But he had two wonderful [workputs] and he was very cool and composed in the paddock. He’s picking things up fast."Another notable race was the Remington Springboard Mile, where Coal Battle rallied four-wide to challenge the leaders late and won by 1/2 length over the favorite Speed King. The Coal Front colt, trained by Lonnie Briley, had previously won the 6 1/2-furlongs Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs.Journalism and Coal Battle each earned 10 points, moving them into a seven-way tie for fifth through 12th on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” leaderboard. Breeders’ Cup winner Citizen Bull leads the list, followed by Gaming and Getaway Car.

The New York Stallion Stakes

In the New York Stallion Stakes, Stone Smuggler took an early lead, came four-wide around the stretch turn, and won by 1 3/4 lengths for Jose Lezcano. The Honest Mischief filly, trained by Jorge Abreu, has now won two out of four starts.Sacrosanct also had a successful day, earning his fourth win without loss against fellow New York-breds in the Fifth Avenue Division.

The Turfway Park Races

At Turfway Park, Paros outfinished Dresden Row to win the $250,000 Prairie Bayou Stakes by a head. The 4-year-old Cairo Prince gelding ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather course in a course-record time of 1:42.22 with Luis Saez in the saddle.In the My Charmer Stakes, Dana’s Beauty led from the early jumps and won by 4 1/2 lengths, ridden out by Luis Saez. The 6-year-old Not This Time mare ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.34.Howard Wolowitz had a strong finish in the Holiday Cheer Stakes, closing inside to win by 1 1/2 lengths over pacesetting Run Carson. The 3-year-old Munnings colt got 6 furlongs on the all-weather surface in 1:08.10 with Emisael Jaramillo in the saddle.Awesome Treat won the Holiday Inaugural Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths, showing a late rush. Bling held on for second in a battle of long shots. The 6-year-old daughter of Awesome Patriot ran 6 furlongs in 1:08.76 with Sophie Doyle in the saddle.In the Tropical Park Derby, Cugino made up ground in the stretch and won a three-way stretch battle over Full Nelson and the favorite, Silent Heart. The Twirling Candy colt ran 1 1/16 mile on firm turf with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle.See You Around caught pacesetting favorite In Our Time in the Tropical Park Oaks and won by a nose. The Irish-bred Siyouni filly ran 1 1/16 miles on firm going in 1:39.49 with Irad Ortiz Jr. scoring the turf stakes double.

The Japanese Scene

In Japan, Admire Zoom separated himself from the pack in the Grade 1 Asahai Hai Futurity at Kyoto Racecourse. With Yuga Kawada in the saddle, Admire Zoom raced just behind the pacesetter down the backstretch and around the outer turf loop. Heading into the stretch, he opened up a big lead and won by 2 1/2 lengths from Museum Mile, finishing the 1,600 meters in 1:34.1.

The Argentine Scene

Although it's only been a month and a half since the World Championships at Del Mar, the preparations for next year's Halloween renewal at the same venue have already begun. Intense for Me caught El Kodigo at the finish line of the Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional at Hipodromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires, earning a “Win and You’re In” spot in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. The winner finished 1 1/2 miles in 2:23.17, improving to eight wins from 13 starts.