D Fine Okie seeks third Lady's Secret

D Fine Okie could be making the final start of her career on Sunday at Remington Park, when she attempts to win the $50,000 Lady's Secret for the third straight year. She should start as a strong favorite in the one-mile race for fillies and mares after defeating male rivals last out in the $100,000 Oklahoma Classics Day Classic.

D Fine Okie, a 5-year-old by Burbank, has been a regular in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas since she won her career debut at Remington in August 2004. Since then, she has accounted for six stakes, ranging in distance from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. D Fine Okie has also divided those wins between dirt and turf and boasts a 5-for-6 record on the main track at Remington.

Despite the diverse record, D Fine Okie was charting new territory in the Classic. The 1 1/16-mile race for Oklahoma-breds was her first start against males. D Fine Okie was the favorite and she won by a 1 3/4 lengths under regular rider Don Pettinger.

"She ran the race just the way we hoped she would," said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains D Fine Okie for her breeder, Richter Family Trust. "She was a couple of lengths off the pace of Zee Oh Six early and engaged him turning for home and proved to be the best at the end."

D Fine Okie won the Lady's Secret at seven furlongs in 2005 and at a mile last year. She beat a strong group last year that included multiple stakes winner Plaid.

"I think she's probably made more money and beaten better horses at two turns," Von Hemel said.

D Fine Okie will break from post 7 in a field of nine.

* Aptiseno, who has won her last two starts by a combined margin of 18 1/2 lengths, will move into stakes company for the first time in the $50,000 Cimarron. The 7 1/2-furlong turf race for 2-year-olds drew a field of 12.

Aptiseno has never been beaten at two turns, winning her maiden at a mile in her second start, then taking an optional-claiming route on the grass in her most recent out. Trainer Joe Petalino has given the mount to Cliff Berry.