Rattle N Roll's big move pays off in Oklahoma Derby

Rattle N Roll has been reeling off derby victories.

He won his third such race Sunday, when he unleashed a monster move around the final turn en route to a 1 1/2-length victory over King Ottoman in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.

It was another 9 1/4 lengths back in third to even-money favorite Best Actor.

The Oklahoma Derby, which was run over 1 1/8 miles, anchored a card of eight stakes worth more than $1.1 million. Hits Pricey Legacy ($24) won the Grade 3, $200,000 Remington Oaks earlier on the card. The races are the two graded offerings each season at Remington. The track showcased the stakes on a 12-race card that stretched for about six hours, beginning at 3 p.m. Central and ending a few minutes before 9 p.m.

Rattle N Roll ($4.80) won the St. Louis Derby and the American Derby in his recent races leading up to the Oklahoma Derby. He could see the whole field in the early stages Sunday, as he trailed leader Red Knobs through an opening quarter in 23.59 seconds and a half-mile in 47.76.

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Rattle N Roll moved up approaching the final turn, traveled three wide around his rivals on the bend, and hit the front into the stretch. Through the lane, Rattle N Roll kept a closing King Ottoman at bay to win on a fast track in 1:49.50.

“When he heard [King Ottoman] coming at him, he re-engaged,” winning rider Brian Hernandez Jr. said in an interview conducted by Remington.

“I’ve been fortunate to ride him [regularly], learn his running style. I stay out of his way when he decides to make his run. He did it on his own the whole way. I’ve just got to be a good passenger.”

Rattle N Roll races for Lucky Seven Stable and is trained by Kenny McPeek.

“He just keeps getting better,” McPeek said in an interview with Remington.

Rattle N Roll came into the Oklahoma Derby off a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 97 earned for his 4 1/2-length win in the St. Louis Derby on Aug. 20. Last year at 2, the horse won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.

Best Actor was attempting to give trainer Brad Cox his fourth consecutive win in the Oklahoma Derby. The horse was favored off his victory in the Grade 3 Smarty Jones at Parx Racing.

Rattle N Roll, who invaded from Kentucky, has now won 5 of 13 starts for earnings of $998,105.

Racing resumes Wednesday night at Remington.

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