'The Judge' best in Oklahoma Derby

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Judge Sez Who rebounded from a heartbreaking loss in the West Virginia Derby with a determined, half-length win over favorite Easyfromthegitgo in the Grade 3, $296,500 at Remington Park on Sunday.

It was another head back in third to A.P. Five Hundred.

The Judge Sez Who($7) raced about four lengths off the pace early in the Oklahoma Derby while Cowboy Stuff led the field through fractions of 23.20 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.80 for the half, and 1:11.22 for six furlongs. The eventual winner moved up into fourth position nearing the quarter pole and drove home, covering the mile and an eighth over a track rated muddy in 1:49.34.

"The pace was a little slow, and he was a little closer than usual," said Cornelio Velasquez, who rode The Judge Sez Who for trainer Milton Wolfson.

One start prior to the Oklahoma Derby, The Judge Sez Who, a closer, was beaten a neck by the front-running Wiseman's Ferry in the Grade 3, $600,000 West Virginia Derby.

Wolfson plans to give The Judge Sez Who a little time off before deciding his next race. He said options are the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 21, and the Grade 3, $400,000 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park on Oct. 5.

The Judge Sez Who earned $177,000 for the win in the Oklahoma Derby, which was the biggest payday of his career. His record now stands at seven wins from 16 starts and earnings of $508,876. The Judge Sez Who races for his breeder, Sez Who Thoroughbreds.