Oklahoma Derby

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

 A deep and evenly matched field of 12 sophomores will go forth in the
$150,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park on Sunday. With a slew of
contenders in here we prefer to not settle for a short price, and we’ll take a
shot with the rapidly improving GOLDEN GLEN (Forestry) from the barn of Bobby
Barnett.

Golden Glen has spent half of his young career racing on the sod, but has
really responded to main track racing in his last pair. The chestnut looked good
in a dominant win at Turfway Park and followed that one with a sharp tally at
Keeneland, which is more impressive considering the runner-up in that one won
nicely at Churchill Downs on Friday. Golden Glen has faced elders in his last
three, is toting just a feathery 112 pounds, and should get a fast pace with
which to run at. The red-hot Brian Hernandez Jr. adds to the intrigue.

BRITT’S JULES (Jules) continues to outrun his $2,000 sales price as a
yearling, having banked six wins and $323,398 in earnings to date. The gray ran
huge last out in the Lone Star Derby (G3) before tiring very late, and is well
drawn on the cozy rail for this adventure. The gelding should enjoy a nice
ground saving trip near the pace early before being asked for his best, and his
best may be enough to win here.

CRYPTOGRAPH (Cryptoclearance) was a hard-charging second in the Lone Star
Derby in what was arguably his best race to date. The Donnie Von Hemel charge is
yet another win contender in here, but his wide post and lack of tractability
make him vulnerable on the win end at smallish odds. We prefer his use in all
bottom rungs of exotics.

QUINTON’S GOLD RUSH (Wild Rush) rebounded from a disaster in the Indiana
Derby (G2) two back with a nice score in a Churchill allowance race, and may be
returning to his solid form from early in the year. The chestnut, conditioned by
Steve Asmussen, has been very inconsistent, is still a bit of a question mark at
nine furlongs, and carries high weight of 121 pounds, so we recommend his use on
the bottom of exotics only.

MR. JESTER (Silver Deputy) was in his best form at two, but looked pretty
good in his last pair and has enough back class to get a small part with these.
The dark bay colt put in a blistering work in advance of this, so we’ll use him
in the gimmicks.

WALLY’S CHOICE (Quick Cut) is a three-time stakes winner and in very good
current form, but appears to be a cut below these at this juncture. We feel the
gelding could earn a check with a career best. GAMBLIN (Family Calling) could be
the early pacesetter in here for Niall O’ Callaghan, and the stakes-winning colt
could be tough if left alone on the lead. We can’t envision that scenario, but
we feel the bay is talented enough to hang around for a small share.

ROAROFVICTORY (Roar) has enjoyed most of his success against Iowa-breds and
would need a big step up to conquer these. Consider the gelding for the
superfecta. SLEW SLAYER (Slew City Slew) has been excellent on the lawn,
including a good showing at Keeneland last out, but hasn’t fared well from his
two dirt outings. If the bay takes to the main surface, he’s got a shot for a
paycheck.

FOREIGN JUSTICE (Lit de Justice), COMMANDER BUCK (Deputy Commander) and
SHREWD DEPUTY (Silver Deputy) all appear to be outclassed facing this group at
this time.