Most Wanted gets top billing in Oklahoma Derby

A talented field of eight will travel nine panels on the Remington Park dirt on Sunday evening in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3). The finale on the signature day of racing in the Sooner State attracted a diverse group of sophomores, including a trio of three-year-olds that are based in California. But I will side with slight morning-line choice #6 Most Wanted (5-2) and look for him to move his mark to an unblemished 4-for-4. 

Oklahoma Derby Wagers

• $30 win #6 Most Wanted ($30)
• $2 trifecta key 6 with 2,5,8 ($12)

Trained by Brad Cox, the homebred son of Candy Ride put in a strong late run to win on debut beneath the Twin Spires in a seven-eighths dash on the dirt on June 21. He followed that score up with another victory, this time gamely fending off allowance foes at Ellis Park while traveling one mile. In the Ellis Park Derby on Aug. 11, the late bloomer led at every call in earning his initial stakes win to date, and the colt has posted a quartet of morning drills in the interim.

Most Wanted has yet to run two turns, and I think that he will improve with the added distance on Sunday. The half-brother to the sensational Life is Good doesn’t need the lead to win and figures to sit an ideal trip pressing the pace while in the clear to the top of the lane. Regular jockey Florent Geroux comes in to ride, and I am really expecting a major effort from the Gary and Mary West color-bearer. 

#2 E J Won the Cup (4-1) has captured three derbies in 2024 and will be a major player with his best effort for conditioner Doug O’Neill. The Omaha Beach colt has a versatile running style and is in very good current form, and it’s also worth noting that Mike Smith treks in to retain the mount atop the chestnut. 

#5 Dimatic (9-2) and #8 Society Man (6-1), who finished second and third, respectively, in the West Virginia Derby (G3) behind a nice one, and each has appeal to me for the vertical exotics. The former has a consistently good turn of foot, and the latter lacks consistency but is capable of running big on his best day.