Super Stock headed to Oklahoma Derby
Trainer Steve Asmussen said early this week that the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sept. 26 at Remington Park is the likely next stop for Super Stock, who drew clear late Sunday in winning the signature race of the 31-day Ellis meet, the $200,000 Ellis Park Derby.
The 1 1/8-mile Oklahoma Derby would be the sixth straight derby for Super Stock. Preceding his Ellis win, the Dialed In colt won the Arkansas Derby, ran 16th in the Kentucky Derby, then recorded back-to-back fourths in the Texas Derby and Iowa Derby. He earned a 90 Beyer in the Ellis Derby.
Ricardo Santana Jr., who began this week sixth in the Saratoga jockey standings, was in for his only day of the Ellis meet when booting home Super Stock.
There are no stakes remaining this summer at Ellis, which runs through Sept. 4. Kentucky Downs runs it six-day meet Sept. 5-12.
◗ Zulu Alpha, seventh in the Mister D., now has turned in two dull efforts since returning this summer from an ankle injury. Owner Michael Hui said trainer Mike Maker will monitor the 8-year-old gelding through the end of the month before they decide how to proceed.
Hui said a run in the $1 million Calumet Turf Cup on Sept. 11 at Kentucky Downs or retirement “are our only two options” for Zulu Alpha, an earner of more than $2.2 million.
◗ Dennis’ Moment will make his first start in nearly nine months in the second race Friday at Ellis. The 4-year-old colt has been soundly defeated in three starts since winning the Iroquois at Churchill in September 2019 for trainer Dale Romans, including a last-place finish following a stumbling start as the odds-on favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile that fall.
◗ Trainer Tommy Drury said Sprawl, winner of the Aug. 7 West Virginia Governor’s at Mountaineer Park with a 98 Beyer, likely runs next in either the Ack Ack or Lukas Classic at Churchill next month.
◗ Sarah Hamilton sent out the first winner of her training career when Call Me Gusto won the last of nine races Sunday at Ellis. Based at Keeneland, Hamilton had six starts prior to her breakthrough.