Going Ballistic rallies from 20 lengths back

OKLAHOMA CITY - Just call him the Silky Sullivan of the Southwest. After trailing the Oklahoma Derby field by more than 20 lengths, Going Ballistic unleashed an explosive rally on the final turn en route to a 3 1/4-length win in the $300,000 race run Sunday at Remington Park.

"I was impressed with his move," said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains Going Ballistic for Kindred Thoroughbreds. "He had the race in hand at the eighth pole and cruised on in from there."

The Oklahoma Derby was one of four stakes worth a cumulative $575,000 on Sunday. Going Ballistics performance was the highlight of the program. He came into the Oklahoma Derby off a last-to-first win in the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, and did not disappoint as the even-money favorite at Remington.

Going Ballistic ($4) trailed the field by some 23 lengths early, with pacesetter Forty Acres under pressure through an opening half-mile in 46.14 seconds. Forty Acres shook clear through six furlongs in 1:10.59, as Going Ballistic swept past most of his 10 rivals on the final turn then overtook Forty Acres. Going Ballistic went on to cover the mile and an eighth on a track rated fast in 1:49.74.

"It was a dream ride," said Tim Doocy, who picked up the mount Sunday from Cliff Berry, who was experiencing soreness following a Saturday night spill. "Right now, you feel bad for Cliff..

"But it was an easy ride. He showed us what kind of horse he is. He came running by them easy."

Reporting for Duty finished second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Sumac.

Berry had been aboard Going Ballistic for his previous four stakes wins. He rode the first race here Sunday, but took off the remainder of his mounts on the card because of soreness in his right shoulder, according to his agent, Richard McNaughton.

Going Ballistic earned $180,000 for his win in the Oklahoma Derby. He has now won 6 of 17 starts and $851,242.

Von Hemel said plans for Going Ballistic are to be determined. The Oklahoma Derby win was the third for Von Hemel, who also won the race in 1989 with Clever Trevor and again in 1991 with Queens Gray Bee. Doocy previously won the Oklahoma Derby with Temperence Time in 1999.