Secured Freedom possible for Oklahoma Derby

Secured Freedom, winner of the Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita in June who was scratched from the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby last month, is under consideration for the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park on Sept. 27, trainer Tim Yakteen said on Friday.

Secured Freedom, second in the Oceanside Handicap at Del Mar in July in his last start, was recently sent from Del Mar to owner Pierre and Leslie Amestoy’s farm in New Mexico, Yakteen said.

“He’s tentatively pointed for Remington Park,” Yakteen said. “I want to get a work into him and see whether we’ll be able to make the race the way we want to go into the race.

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“We want to get one good work into him prior to the race.”

Secured Freedom last worked at Del Mar on Aug. 29, going six furlongs in 1:14.40. A winner of 2 of 7 starts for the Amestoys and Roger Beasley, Secured Freedom was considered for the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on Sept. 6 before the focus shifted to the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at 1 1/8 miles.

The Oklahoma Derby is the richest of eight stakes at Remington Park on Sept. 27 worth a combined $1.3 million. The program includes the $250,000 Great West Turf Sprint at five furlongs, and the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles.

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