Oklahoma Derby

Wally's Choice shocks at Remington

Wally & Joyce McNeil and Curtis Sampson's WALLY'S CHOICE

(Quick Cut) trailed the field for the opening half-mile,

but put in a powerful late burst to upset the $167,250 Oklahoma

Derby (G3) at Remington Park on Sunday.

Piloted by Luis Quinonez,

the three-year-old gelding began to pick up momentum prior to the

stretch, dipped outside turning for home and got up late to earn

his first graded score. The bay, conditioned by Michael Biehler,

completed nine muddy furlongs in 1:50 1/5 and gave back a healthy

$69.80, $28.40 and $9.40 as a 33-1 outsider.

Golden Glen (Forestry) had only the winner beaten early but made up a lot

of ground late, earning the place spot one length back. The colt

paid $9.20 and $4.60 at 8-1, while completing the $604 exacta.

Cryptograph (Cryptoclearance) did well to get third, 6 1/2

lengths clear of his nearest pursuer as the 8-5 favorite. Show was

good for $3.20, with the trifecta giving back $2,555. Slew Slayer

(Slew City Slew) was next and on the bottom of a $9,437.60

superfecta (2-3-12-4) ($1) at 22-1.

Foreign Justice (Lit de Justice) was fifth and trailed by

Britt's Jules (Jules), Roarofvictory (Roar), Quintons Gold Rush

(Wild Rush), Gamblin (Family Calling), Commander Buck (Deputy

Commander) and Mr. Jester (Silver Deputy). Shrewd Deputy (Silver

Deputy) was withdrawn.

Wally's Choice moved his mark to 13-7-0-3 from earnings of $228,090. It was the fourth stakes win for the bay, including the

Woodlands Derby in his latest. The winner was bred in Minnesota by Sampson and produced from the multiple stakes-placed

L'Etoile Jolie (Commemorate).