OKLAHOMA 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 four lengths. Stachys finished third, another 2 1/4 lengths back.

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. Dennis Ward, who saddled the horse for his son on Sunday, said the Breeders' Cup Classic likely will be Pleasant Prince's next start.

Holiday Buzz, Paris Vegas and Professor Pollard rounded out the order of finish. Raven Hawk, trained by Steve Asmussen, was scratched before the race.