A field of 11 line up in Sunday’s Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park. (Photo credit: Remington Park).
A wide open field of 11 will go to the post in Sunday’s $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park, the highlight of a 12-race card that will be the richest in the history of the track and state.
There are 10 stakes on the card with over $1.4 million in purses up for grabs. Many of the top jockeys in the nation will make a stop for the money including John Velazquez, Joel Rosario, Joe Talamo, Florent Geroux and Rafael Bejarano.
Texas Chrome, winner of the Super Derby (G3) in his last start drew the rail and was installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite. Trained by JR Caldwell and ridden by CJ McMahon, the colt has won seven of his 12 career starts.
The Bret Calhoun trained Fish Trappe Road is the 2-1 second choice on morning line favorite. The son of Trappe Shot will break from the seven post under Bejarano.
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Fish Trappe Road won the Dwyer (G3) at Belmont Park going a mile in July but did not fire his best in his most recent outing in the seven-furlong King’s Bishop (G1).
Sunday’s Best Plays Report includes five of the stakes from Remington Park along with my strongest plays from Belmont Park.
Let’s head out to Remington park for Sunday’s featured race of the day:
Remington Park Race 11 The Oklahoma Derby G3 (Post time 7:40 CT)
#5 Sticksstatelydude 15-1
#7 Fish Trappe Road 2-1
#1 Texas Chrome 9-5
#3 Ready Dancer 5-1
Analysis: Sticksstatelydude had a rough trip last out in the Smarty Jones (G3) at Philly. The colt was bumped around heading into the first turn and was near the back of the pack and did not offer much of a threat in the stretch in a fourth place finish. Two back at Belmont Park going a one turn mile this guy went gate to wire in a sharp effort earning a 103 Beyer. He showed some promise as a juvenile, breaking his maiden in his second career start and then running fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Rosario is in to ride which sure looks like a good sing that this guy is going to bounce back with a much better effort. The 15-1 morning line is generous, have a feeling his price is going to be shorter.
Fish Trappe Road came up empty in the stretch last out in the King’s Bishop (G1) going seven furlongs at the Spa. Two back this guy earned a career top wining the Dwyer (G3) going a one turn mile. His lone start going two turns was in the LeComte (G3) at Fair Grounds where he was not a threat in a seventh place finish, but he has enough pedigree to handle the extra ground. The Calhoun barn is 22% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from sprint to route.
Texas Chrome tracked the early pace, battled in the stretch and prevailed to win the Super Derby (G3) last out at Louisiana Downs in a game effort. This colt has won 7 of his 12 career starts and got his first graded stakes win last out. he has earned back to back career tops, winning the Prelude two back. He is the logical one to beat but his price is going to be on the light side.
Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 8-1 or better.
EX: 5,7 / 1,3,5,7
TRI: 5,7 / 1,3,5,7 / 1,3,5,7,11
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