Departing looking for fourth Derby win in Oklahoma Derby

Departing has romped in his past two starts (Mountaineer Park/Coady Photography)

The Grade 3, $400,000
Oklahoma Derby
is the centerpiece attraction during a week-long celebration hosted by Remington
Park leading up to the 1 1/8-mile contest on Sunday.

Departing is seeking his fourth Derby victory, having already captured the
Illinois Derby, West Virginia Derby and Super Derby this season. The Al
Stall-trained gelding posted an easy 3 1/4-length win in the Illinois Derby,
which followed a third in the Louisiana Derby, and briefly tried the Triple
Crown trail. He suffered his only off-the-board finish when sixth in the
Preakness and was given the next few months off.

Departing returned with a bang in the West Virginia Derby, scoring by 8 3/4
lengths. The bay son of War Front followed up last out with a four-length
triumph in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, and keeps jockey Robby Albarado
aboard as he competes at a seventh different track from nine career starts.

Of the seven sophomores lining up against Departing, Texas Bling and Carve
could prove a challenge.

The former hasn’t competed sine a subpar eighth in the April 13 Arkansas Derby,
but is one of only three in this field with prior experience over the track,
having earned his only stakes win to
date when taking the Springboard Mile last December. Trainer Danele Durham will
give a leg up to jockey Fabio Arguello Jr. aboard the Too Much Bling colt on Sunday.

Marathon Lady (inside) is still looking for her first stakes win (Jordan Strickler)

Seven sophomore fillies will head to the gate earlier on the card for the
$200,000

Remington Park Oaks. Marathon Lady is the top draw in the 8 1/2-furlong
contest following a pair of thirds in the Mother Goose and Coaching Club
American Oaks, both Grade 1 events in New York. The Graeme Hall filly also just
missed by a neck and a nose, respectively, when second in the Black-Eyed Susan
and Bourbonette Oaks this season.

Sister Ginger upset the Martha Washington at 19-1 in February and will try to do
the same thing in this spot for Asmussen. The bay daughter of Student Council
was unable to duplicate that effort in the Honeybee, but following a short break
returned to rack up three straight wins including the Indiana Grand in late
July. Though she never factored against Saratoga stakes rivals last out, Sister
Ginger could rebound in this spot.

Another contender in the Remington Park Oaks is Touch Magic, who wired an
optional claiming field by 6 3/4 lengths last out at Louisiana Downs. The Lion
Heart filly scored in the Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds to begin her sophomore
campaign in her first start for new trainer Patrick Devereux Jr., and keeps
Diego Saenz in the saddle on Sunday.

Wine Police will make just his third start of the year in the Remington Park Sprint Cup (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography)

The $100,000

Remington Green drew eight runners to go 1 1/16 miles on the turf and former
Triple Crown participant Daddy Nose Best will attempt to continue his comeback in
the contest. The four-year-old son of Scat Daddy never factored in last year’s
Kentucky Derby or Preakness, and went on a six-race losing streak that was
snapped two back at Indiana Downs. The Grade 3-scoring Daddy Nose Best continued
his winning ways by taking the Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Handicap over
Remington Park’s turf on August 24, setting the Asmussen pupil up for this run.

Two other races complete the stakes action at the track on Sunday, with eight
entered in the six-furlong, $75,000
Kip
Deville for juveniles and 10 Oklahoma-bred distaffers scheduled to sprint 7
1/2 furlongs over the turf in the $50,000

Ladies on the Lawn.

Remington Park kicks off its Oklahoma Derby festivities Thursday with a Retro Party Rock event,
featuring adult beverage specials and a great card of racing, as the track “flashdances”
back to a time of strategically torn clothing, tight skirts, lace accents,
ripped jeans, spandex, leg warmers, fishnet stockings and big ’80s Hair.

The Derby Dancing
Party is scheduled from 8-11 p.m. (CDT) on the Plaza during the races, featuring Superfreak in
concert. Admission is free.

Daddy Nose Best has returned to form just in time for the Remington Green (Sunland Park/Coady Photography)

Oklahoma Derby Day dawns with Sunrise at Remington, allowing racing fans a
chance to watch morning training, enjoy coffee or juice, a pastry and converse with racing
experts. Sunrise begins at 9 a.m. on the Plaza at the Finish Line with an opportunity to
meet some of the connections who will compete in the 25th Oklahoma Derby, the
Remington Park Oaks, the Remington Green Stakes and the Remington Park Sprint
Cup later that afternoon.

Hosted by Chris Kotulak, the Oklahoma Derby Sunrise event allows fans to talk
with those involved in the big race as well as learn about what happens every
morning during training hours at Remington Park.

Joining the Oklahoma Derby Sunrise will be Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg
who will discuss his various Derby experiences and his long and successful
career, detailed in the biography Jack, from “Grit to Glory.” Copies of the book will be available
during Sunrise festivities.

Special stable tours will be offered to those interested at the conclusion of
the Sunrise program at 10 a.m. Sunrise at Remington is free to attend; simply
enter thru the Racing Entrance and proceed to the Plaza-Finish Line area.