Field of 12 Set for Oklahoma Derby
The Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby has been set after the post-position draw held in the Remington Park racing office this morning. A field of 12 will contest the 1-1/8 miles in the headline event on a stakes-laden program for Sunday, Sept. 27 that begins at 1:30pm-central.
The Oklahoma Derby is the main event on a 10-race card that includes seven consecutive stakes events from races three thru nine. The total horsemen’s purses for the program stand at $1,173,255, securing the derby card as the richest for the 2015 Remington Park Thoroughbred Season.
The field for the 27th Oklahoma Derby, by post position and saddle towel order, with trainer and jockey:
1. Poseidon’s Way: Donnie Von Hemel, Luis Quinonez
2. Lucky Player: Steve Asmussen, Ramon Vazquez
3. Witt Six: Jerry Gourneau, C.J. McMahon
4. Mobile Bay: Victor Arceneaux, Edgar Prado
5. Desert Dynamo: Jerry Hollendorfer, Mario Gutierrez
6. Souper Colossal: Edward Plesa, Jr., Paco Lopez
7. Shotgun Kowboy: C.R. Trout, Cliff Berry
8. Bold Conquest: Steve Asmussen, Angel Cruz
9. Classy Class: Kiaran McLaughlin, Joe Bravo
10. The Truth Or Else: Kenneth McPeek, Calvin Borel
11. Tale Of Verve: Dallas Stewart, Jamie Theriot
12. Hillbilly Royalty: Donnie Von Hemel, Alex Birzer
Hall of Fame Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer will attempt to win his second consecutive Oklahoma Derby with Desert Dynamo. The 2014 edition went to Tonito M. who traveled to Oklahoma City from Hollendorfer’s southern California barn to score. Desert Dynamo made the similar trip and arrived at Will Rogers World Airport this morning to begin local preparation.
All but four of the dozen for the derby are now on the grounds at Remington Park. The remaining quartet (Classy Class, Souper Colossal, Tale Of Verve and The Truth Or Else) are scheduled to land at Will Rogers World Airport on Friday morning and then make their way to the track’s stable area.
Trainer Donnie Von Hemel has two entries from his barn, attempting to help extend his record for most wins in the Oklahoma Derby to four. He previously won the race in 1989 with Clever Trevor, 1991 with Queen’s Gray Bee and 2007 with Going Ballistic. Von Hemel is Remington Park’s all-time leading trainer, currently with 965 wins.
A pair of Hall of Fame jockeys will compete in the Oklahoma Derby. Edgar Prado won the 2011 edition aboard Redeemed while Calvin Borel will seek his first triumph in the race.
Cliff Berry has the most jockey wins in the Oklahoma Derby, of those in this year’s race. He scored with Comic Truth in 2003 and then Mr. Pursuit in 2006. Luis Quinonez won the race in 2004 aboard Wally’s Choice whileJamie Theriot won in 2008 with Golden Yank.
At $400,000, this year’s Oklahoma Derby matches the previous four for the highest purse in the history of the race. The 2011 derby (won by Redeemed) was the first year of the run at the current purse level.
The stakes races on Oklahoma Derby Day at Remington Park will be presented in this order:
Race 3: $50,000 Flashy Lady Stakes, fillies/mares, 3 and older, 6 furlongs, 2:28pm
Race 4: $100,000 Remington Green, 3 and older, 1-1/8 miles (turf), 2:57pm
Race 5: $150,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup, 3 and older, 6 furlongs, 3:26pm
Race 6: $75,000 Ricks Memorial, fillies/mares, 3 and older, 1-1/16 miles (turf), 3:55pm
Race 7: $75,000 Kip Deville Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs, 4:24pm
Race 8: $200,000 Remington Park Oaks, 3-year-old fillies, 1-1/16 miles, 4:53pm
Race 9: $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3), 3-year-olds, 1-1/8 miles, 5:22pm
All Times are Central.
Open daily at 10:30am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park, home of the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Source: Remington Park