Rebranded eyes Oklahoma Derby

Rebranded, who in his last two starts has won a pair of small derbies by a combined margin of 25 1/4 lengths, could run next in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sept. 28 at Remington Park, said his trainer, Justin Evans.

Rebranded won the $50,000 Ruidoso Derby by 12 3/4 lengths in his most recent outing Aug. 31. One start prior, he romped by 12 1/2 lengths in the $40,000 Colorado Derby at Arapahoe Park. The horse is based at Zia Park in New Mexico.

“We’re kind of thinking Oklahoma Derby,” said Evans, who trains Rebranded for Tony Pennington. “He’s been so impressive in his last two. I thought he beat a good horse last time in Street Prancer. I think it might be worth taking a shot.”

Evans said the timing of the Oklahoma Derby also works well for Rebranded.

“[From there], we could train straight into the Zia Park Derby,” Evans said. “It’s six or seven weeks in between races, and that would work out pretty well, I think.”

Rebranded is a son of Tiznow.

◗ The $100,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap will be the richest Thoroughbred stakes of the meet when it is run next Sunday, Sept. 21. Evans said he has two potential starters for the 1 1/8-mile race in Royal Meridian, who holds the track record for 1 1/16 miles, and Jaycito, a Grade 1 winner at 2.