Marq French stretches out successfully

Marq French, who has won five sprint stakes, picked up his first two-turn stakes win on Saturday night, when he came back for a neck win over Oklahoma Tradition in the $100,000 Oklahoma Classics Day Classic at Remington Park.

The 1 1/16-mile race was one of eight Oklahoma-bred stakes worth more than $535,000.

Marq French ($3.80) set the pace in the Classic, racing through an opening quarter in 23.91 seconds, 47.41 for the half-mile, and 1:11.89 for six furlongs. He was overtaken in the stretch by Oklahoma Tradition, but fought back and covered the distance on a fast track in 1:44.44.

It was the second time Marq French had raced around two turns on dirt. In his first main track route appearance he won a $65,000 claiming race at Oaklawn in March 2007. Cliff Berry rode Marq French for trainer Donnie Von Hemel. The horse has now won 11 of 31 starts and $343,606.

Von Hemel had one other winner on the night, in the $55,000 Lassie with Peach Brew ($6.40). She ran down Fanci Candi for a three-quarter length win. Quincy Hamilton rode Peach Brew.

* Trainer Kari Craddock picked up the first of her three stakes wins on the night in the $55,000 Juvenile, when No Advance ($10.60) was up for a neck win over Run Off River. Floyd Wethey Jr. was aboard No Advance.

Wethey also rode Steal Your Face ($11) to victory in the $65,000 Sprint for Craddock. Steal Your Face closed from next to last for a three-quarter length win.

Craddock's other winner came in the $72,182 Filly & Mare Sprint, when Annieville ($10.60) proved best by 1 1/2 lengths. Cindy Murphy rode Annieville.

* Strategic Leader ($5.40) nipped Must Be He on the wire for a head win in the $86,546 Turf. Notable Okie, who was looking for his fourth straight win in the race, finished fifth. Benny Landeros rode Strategic Leader for trainer Ralph Mitchell.

* Alidoon ($5.40) led throughout for a 7 1/2-length win in the $65,000 Distaff. Hamilton was aboard for trainer Kenny Smith.

* Rosemaui ($5.80) closed well for a three-quarter length win over Approved Bluff in the Filly and Mare Turf. Tim Doocy rode the winner for trainer Joe Offolter.