Tiz Now Tiz Then highlights Oklahoma Derby field

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Derby will include two of the nation's top trainers, a horse owned by a country music star and another trained by a former Super Bowl hero.

The field for the $350,000 race at Remington Park was set Friday, with track oddsmaker Jerry Shottenkirk installing Iowa Derby winner Tiz Now Tiz Then, trained by Eoin Harty, as the 3-1 morning line favorite.

The entry of Ablaze With Spirit and Snug, both owned by the Houston-based Heiligbrodt Racing Stable, is the 4-1 second choice, with Golden Yank at 5-1. The 11⁄8-mile race is set for Sunday.

Although the race lacks a major equine star — most of those are headed to the Breeders' Cup races at Santa Anita in two weeks — the connections of several horses entered are familiar, and not just to those in the racing industry.

Jim Hudson, a former New York Jets safety who intercepted a pass in Super Bowl III, trains Snug. Oklahoma native and musician Toby Keith owns Dream Walkin Farms in Norman, which has entered 20-1 shot Sebastian County.

Steve Asmussen, who entered Friday with 501 wins and about $19.9 million in earnings — both tops nationally among trainers — is sending out Ablaze With Spirit, Fire Brewed and Face the Cat for the race. Another leading trainer, Todd Pletcher, has a rare Remington Park entry with Crimson Comic, who starts at 8-1 odds.

The Oklahoma Derby is limited to 12 runners, leaving one horse excluded, Euro Silver Jet. The race does not have an also-eligible list, meaning Euro Silver Jet will not be able to replace another horse should there be a late scratch.

Harty said he understands the appeal of the Oklahoma Derby, which Remington Park officials tout as the final major main-track derby on the national calendar.

"It's a good purse to run against straight 3-year-olds this time of year," Harty said.

Tiz Now Tiz Then, a Kentucky-bred son of Tiznow and the winner of three of 11 lifetime races, is owned by Zabeel Racing International.

He made his stakes debut on June 27 a successful one, winning the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. A month later, he finished third behind Macho Again and Pyro in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.

In his most recent outing, Tiz Now Tiz Then finished sixth behind Anak Nakal in the Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park on Sept. 1. He has career earnings of $299,450.

"He kind of stubbed his toe a little bit," Harty said. "He was close to the pace but wouldn't settle and that's probably what cost him. I think he's a good horse."

Regular rider Miguel Mena will be aboard Tiz Now Tiz Then, while Remington Park regular Luis Quinonez will ride Ablaze With Spirit. Louisiana-based jockey Gerard Melancon will travel to Remington Park to ride Snug, a Louisiana-bred gelding with a 3-for-10 lifetime record.

Jamie Theriot will be aboard Golden Yank, a Kentucky-bred son of Yankee Gentleman. Golden Yank won his first three career starts last year, including the Remington MEC Mile, the track's top race for 2-year-olds. But the gelding is 0-for-8 since, albeit against tough competition — the lowest purse he's run for this year has been $100,000.

"He's had a lot of bad luck since (last year). He had a couple of bad races he should have won," said Golden Yank's trainer, Gary Thomas. "Coming back here will help him. He likes this track."

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