No set plans for Warrant after Oklahoma Derby score
Warrant’s next move is to be determined after the talented 3-year-old won his second notable race of the year Sunday in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.
The win came two starts after his victory in the $300,000 Texas Derby at Lone Star Park. Warrant, who is based in Kentucky, will now head home to Churchill Downs, trainer Brad Cox said Monday.
“Honestly, in regards to races, I don’t have anything picked out,” Cox said. “We’ll see how he comes out of it and dig up a spot.”
Warrant earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 95 for his win in the Oklahoma Derby, a race in which he rode the rail to a 1 3/4-length victory over pacesetter Flash of Mischief. The win was one of three stakes victories on the Remington card for Cox, with Joel Rosario aboard all three horses.
“I thought Warrant ran really well,” Cox said. “Joel did a good job, breaking good, getting position. He recognized space on the inside, fit through, and took advantage of it. Ultimately, I think it helped us in getting to the wire first.”
Warrant came into the Oklahoma Derby off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 7 at Mountaineer. The start was his first following the Texas Derby on May 31.
“He ran well in West Virginia,” Cox said. “He hadn’t raced in a while and it was a mile and an eighth and I thought he got a lot out of that race. It showed [Sunday]. He was able to rebound, run a little better, was just a fitter horse.”
Cox said the decision had been made to give Warrant time between the Texas Derby and the West Virginia Derby.
“We just thought we would space his races,” he said. “He’s been ultra-consistent, on the board all seven of his races.”
Warrant is a son of Constitution who races for his breeder, Twin Creeks Racing Stables. Earlier this year, he was second in the $300,000 Oaklawn Stakes, one start before winning the Texas Derby.
Flash of Mischief, who set the pace in the Oklahoma Derby one start after winning the $250,000 St. Louis Derby at Fairmount Park, will be getting some time off, trainer Karl Broberg said Monday.
“He just keeps getting better,” Broberg said. “I’ve always thought his best lick was seven-eighths, and here his two most impressive races have come in the Oklahoma Derby and the St. Louis Derby.”
Broberg said plans for the horse were made after discussions with owner Jerry Namy.
“I believe that we’re going to turn him out and give him some time,” Broberg said. “He’s had a long campaign.”
Broberg said plans are to race Flash of Mischief at 4. Earlier this year, the horse was second in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows and fourth in the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga.
As for Cox, he was winning the Oklahoma Derby for the third year in a row Sunday. He captured the race in 2019 with Owendale and last year with Shared Sense.
“It’s a nice race to win,” Cox said. “Anytime you win a race with derby attached to it, it’s very meaningful.”
The Oklahoma Derby was one of eight stakes on the card. Cox’s other winners were early on the program. Sea Level defeated fellow 2-year-old fillies over 6 1/2 furlongs in the $50,000 E.L. Gaylord Memorial.
“She ran really well,” Cox said. “We’re hopeful she may stretch out a little bit. We will continue to just bring her along. She’s a young horse, and we’ll give her an opportunity to be a good one. She’s stepped up. She’s 2 for 2.”
Sea Level is a daughter of Exaggerator who races for her breeders, Barry and Joni Butzow.
Cinnabunny won the $50,000 Flashy Lady Stakes, a sprint for fillies and mares.
“It was good to get a stakes win underneath her belt,” Cox said. “She’s graded placed, and this increased her value a bit. I thought she ran well.”
Cox said next-race plans are to be determined for Cinnabunny. She was to return to Churchill, along with Sea Level.
◗ Concept, a 2-year-old by Gun Runner, earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92 for his win in the $75,000 Kip Deville on Sunday at Remington.