How to bet the Oklahoma Classics Cup Stakes

A 10-race card full of stakes contests for Oklahoma-bred runners will be hosted by Remington Park on Friday. The most lucrative event that will take place is the $175,000 Oklahoma Classics Cup S., which attracted a solid field of seven. 

Oklahoma Classic Wagers

• $2 superfecta 5 with 4,7 with 3,4,7 with all ($32)
• 50-cent superfecta 4,7 with 4,5,7 with 3,4,5,7 with all ($16)

The Joe Sharp-trained #5 Winters Lion (2-1) has not been especially sharp from three runs in 2024, but he has also been in a pair of tough spots with open company and will relish the move in with state-bred foes in this spot. By Accelerate, the gray ran well on multiple occasions in 2023, notably when second behind Crupi in the Discovery H. in November, and something resembling that performance will make him a major player on Friday. The $35,000 yearling purchase appears to be coming into the race in good shape on the turf-to-dirt move, and I expect him to excel in his initial run over the surface beneath David Cabrera. 

I’ll use the top selection with a trio of runners, including 2023 runner-up #7 Number One Dude (5-2). Trained by Scott Young, the dark bay six-year-old has been a good performer at this venue with 11 top-two finishes locally, and he will surely improve with the surface change on this occasion, too. American Lion gelding has useful tactical speed and will be moving into contention approaching the turn for home with Leandro Goncalves in the silks. 

#4 Flat Hanby (7-2) is a stakes hero on the oval and takes a big class drop after contesting the Oklahoma Derby (G3) in his latest showing, which snapped his five-race win streak. Flat Out gelding does face a tall task in facing his elders in the race, but the homebred has a lot of talent and will be in the mix late under the guidance of Floyd Wethey Jr. 

And #3 Soul Sacrifice (12-1) is worthy for the exotics as well. The Shawn Davis charge has done little from a trio of assignments in 2024, but he owns a stakes win on the oval in his lone route race to date. Home of the Brave gelding got good at this time of year in 2023, and at an expected huge price, the bay is worth inclusion under regular pilot Jose Alvarez.