Pleasant Prince takes Oklahoma Derby
October 11, 2010OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Favored Pleasant Prince took the lead in the stretch and pulled away for a decisive win in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park on Sunday.
Pleasant Prince, ridden by top California jockey Joel Rosario, stayed back in the nine-horse field before making a move on the turn, then passing horses in the stretch to beat long shot Timely Pursuit by 4 1/2 lengths. Stachys finished third.
Owned by Ken Ramsey of Nicholsville, Ky., and trained by Wesley Ward, Pleasant Prince won for the second time in three races since finishing a well-beaten 11th in the Preakness Stakes in June.
Pleasant Prince covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:48.81. The winning purse of $240,000 lifted Pleasant Prince's career earnings to 557,398.
Pleasant Prince paid $6.40, $3.60 and $2.60. Timely Pursuit, off at 60-1 odds, paid $32.00 and $9.80 while Stachys paid $7.20.
The 3-year-old Florida-bred son of Indy King won for the third time in 13 career starts.
Raven Hawk, trained by Steve Asmussen, was scratched before the race.