Departing looking for fourth Derby win in Oklahoma Derby

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.

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.

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.

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.