Untrapped Gets His Derby Win in Oklahoma
Owner Michael Langford and trainer Steve Asmussen have been waiting for their three-year-old Untrapped to come up with a signature victory, and tonight at Remington Park the colt delivered with a victory over favored Battle of Midway in the 2017 Grade III $400,000 Oklahoma Derby.
“You have a three-year-old who is talented and you have aspirations of the Kentucky Derby. Since then we gave him the time off he deserved and he's a beautiful horse, a sound mover. A couple of races since the Derby were solid if not great. We freshened him up and pointed him directly at this,” Asmussen said afterwards of Untrapped.
Steve Asmussen is no stranger to Remington Park, he was leading trainer here all the way back in 1992, and now is on his way to a 13th training title. This win was sweet, though, as he was 0-21 in this race until tonight.
Untrapped, who broke from post position five, was sent towards the front early and secured position along the rail by jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. He tracked the early leader Gato Del Oro through a first quarter in 23.90, and after a half mile Untrapped was back into third as B Squared ranged up to challenge Gato Del Oro. After six furlongs in 1:11.45, the field was separated by only four lengths.
Untrapped fell back to sixth as Gato Del Oro made the turn for home with Battle of Midway beginning to close, as well as Colonelsdarktemper. Santana steered Untrapped to the outside and with a few right handed reminders Untrapped responded by wearing down Battle of Midway to pull away for the 1 ¾ length win. Gato Del Oro held on for for third, and Colonelsdarktemper finished fourth.
"He just seemed to be a different horse tonight," said Santana. "I really had a lot of faith in him and we had a perfect trip. That was the difference between tonight and the Kentucky Derby. He was in trouble in the Derby and never had a chance."
Untrapped was sent off at odds of 11-1. This was his first graded stakes victory as he counted a maiden last fall at Churchill Downs as his only win. This was also Asmussen’s and Santana’s fourth win on the card.
The Oklahoma Derby was the fifth straight “Derby” for Untrapped. He previously finished unplaced in the Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby, and then most recently finished third in both the Ohio and Indiana Derbys.
The second choice in the wagering at 8-5, Haskell winner Girvin, closed willingly in the stretch, but could do no better than fifth, beaten five lengths.
Untrapped is a son of Trappe Shot out of a Giant's Causeway mare. He was purchased at the April 2016 Ocala Breeders’ Sale two-year-olds in training for $125,000 by his owner, Michael Langford. His record now stands at 10-2-3-3 with earnings at $601,755.
Untrapped rewarded his backers tonight by paying $24.60, $7.80, and $4.80. Battle of Midway returned $2.80 and $2.40, while Gato Del Oro paid $3.80 for the show. Final time for the nine furlongs was 1:48.62.