Most Wanted Stays Unbeaten After OK Derby Battle
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Photo: Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park
Most Wanted wins the Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park
Hot on the heels of their victory with Hit Show in the Sept. 28 Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs, jockey Florent Geroux and trainer Brad Cox carried their momentum all the way to Remington Park, sweeping both of the track's featured events.
A budding star in the Cox barn, Most Wanted proved his tenacity with a hard-fought victory in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) to remain unbeaten in four starts.
Making his graded stakes debut following a victory in the Aug. 11 Ellis Park Derby, the 3-year-old Candy Ride colt was also making his first start around two turns in the 1 1/8-mile contest. He passed the test with flying colors despite an early challenge to his lead.
After Most Wanted set the pace for the opening quarter mile in :23.60, Reylu Gutierrez aboard Indispensable took advantage of an opening on the rail to sneak by the favorite and assert himself on top. Geroux was content to sit second through a half in :47.48, but reestablished himself on top at the 3/8th pole.
E J Won the Cup rolled up on the outside for Mike Smith turning for home and pulled even with a furlong left. Most Wanted, who was still battling Indispensable on his inside, responded and battled back.
At the wire, Most Wanted finished one length clear of E J Won the Cup with Indispensable another head back in third. Most Wanted completed the distance in 1:49.46 and paid $3.60.
A homebred for Gary and Mary West, Most Wanted has now earned $519,553.
Video: Oklahoma Derby (G3)
Alpine Princess Returns an Easy Winner in Remington Park Oaks
The job wasn't as difficult for Full of Run Racing II and Madaket Stables' Alpine Princess , who one race earlier strolled home a 9 3/4-length winner of the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks.
Once a contender on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail following her Dec. 26 victory in the Untapable Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Alpine Princess had not raced since finishing third in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park March 23.
The daughter of Classic Empire showed no signs of rust, comfortably settling just off the pace for Geroux from her far outside gate. Longshot Change It Up set fractions of :24.43 and :48.29 but gave way to Remington's local star Miss Code West entering the far turn.
Alpine Princess attacked Miss Code West at the 5/16th pole. The Oklahoma-bred battled gallantly but settled for her first defeat at Remington Park in six starts. Alpine Princess completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.12. Just Be Quiet was third.
Alpine Princess now holds a record of 4-0-2 from eight starts for $371,810 in earnings. Full of Run Racing purchased her for $190,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.