Oklahoma Derby a wide-open battle of contrasting styles
There could be two wars within the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday. Desert Dynamo, Classy Class, and Souper Colossal figure to be making their case on the front end, while a stretch battle could erupt among closers Tale of Verve, the runner-up in the Preakness; Mobile Bay, the winner of the Super Derby; and Bold Conquest, who exits the Indiana Derby.
“Hopefully, we can get a good pace,” said Tale of Verve’s trainer, Dallas Stewart.
The 1 1/8-mile Oklahoma Derby drew a competitive field of 12. It anchors a card of seven stakes at Remington Park. The races are worth a total of $1 million and will be showcased consecutively on a special Sunday program that starts at 1:30 p.m. Central. The Weather Channel is forecasting sunny skies and a high of 84 degrees.
Oklahoma Derby, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Desert Dynamo (Last 3 Beyers: 98-78-92)
◗ He was a close third in the El Cajon at a mile at Del Mar in his last start Aug. 29.
“It seemed like he ran real well,” said trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “I think he might like a little more distance.”
◗ Desert Dynamo will break from post 5 under Mario Gutierrez.
“He has speed, or tactical speed,” said Hollendorfer.
Classy Class (Last 3 Beyers: 72-95-82)
◗ The third-place finisher in the Gotham and Withers, he was a troubled ninth in last month’s Grade 1 King’s Bishop at seven furlongs at Saratoga.
“We had a real rough trip in the King’s Bishop,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “We’re just throwing that race out, and we think going further, he’s better. Hopefully, we can get an uncontested lead or be close to the pace.”
◗ Joe Bravo has the mount from post 9.
Souper Colossal (Last 3 Beyers: 86-93-86)
◗ He set the pace in the Grade 3 Smarty Jones when second Aug. 29 at Parx, one start after he sat in fourth en route to a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby. For his effort Aug. 1 at Mountaineer, Souper Colossal earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
“In the West Virginia Derby, he was put in a stalking role, made a big move around the turn, got the lead heading for home, and [Madefromlucky] ran him down the last sixteenth of a mile,” said trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. “I’d like to see a couple of speed horses in there Sunday where we’ll be put in a stalking place.”
Tale of Verve (Last 3 Beyers: 75-87-80)
◗ His runner-up finish in the Preakness came one start after he won a maiden special weight over older rivals at Keeneland.
“He’s a late-developing horse,” Stewart said. “He started developing about the [Kentucky] Derby. He’s a big, strong colt.”