Competitive field entered for Oklahoma Derby

A well-matched group of 12 sophomores has been assembled for Sunday’s $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park, and the nine-furlong contest really is up for grabs.

Desert Dynamo holds the distinction of being the morning-line favorite at 5-2, but not by much. The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained bay is seeking his first stakes win in this spot, having been unplaced in the Desert Code S. over the spring and a close third last out in the El Cajon S.

The second early favorite at 7-2 is Mobile Bay, a Louisiana-bred stalwart who is venturing outside the safe zone of his home state for the first time to try the Oklahoma Derby. Trainer Victor Arceneaux successfully saddled Mobile Bay to a 2 1/4-length victory in the Super Derby (G2) just two weeks ago, so a return to the winner’s circle is very possible for the dark bay colt.

Souper Colossal will open the betting at 9-2 and is hoping to finally break the case of seconditis that has plagued him since mid-June. The Ed Plesa Jr. charge followed a win in the Texas Glitter S. with runner-up efforts in the Select S., Long Branch S., West Virginia Derby (G2) and, most recently, Smarty Jones S. (G3).

It will be interesting to see if Tale of Verve can regain any kind of form in the Oklahoma Derby after being well-beaten in his last three following a runner-up effort in the Preakness S. (G1). Admittedly, that second did come seven lengths behind American Pharoah but Tale of Verve still beat multiple Grade 1 winner Dortmund that day.

Also entered is Shotgun Kowboy, who is 6-4-1-1 thus far in his career, all at Remington Park. The C.R. Trout pupil captured a pair of stakes over the track last year and just romped by 11 lengths while making his August 29 seasonal bow last out.

Others of note in the Oklahoma Derby include Grade 1-placed Bold Conquest and The Truth or Else, dual Grade 3-placed Classy Class and stakes winner Hillbilly Royalty.

Souper Colossal photo courtesy of Bill Denver/Equi-Photo