Scorching on the heels of their victory with Hit Present within the Sept. 28 Lukas Traditional (G2) at Churchill Downs, jockey Florent Geroux and coach Brad Cox carried their momentum all the way in which to Remington Park, sweeping each of the observe’s featured occasions.
A budding star within the Cox barn, Most Needed proved his tenacity with a hard-fought victory within the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) to stay unbeaten in 4 begins.
Making his graded stakes debut following a victory within the Aug. 11 Ellis Park Derby, the 3-year-old Sweet Journey  colt was additionally making his first begin round two turns within the 1 1/8-mile contest. He handed the take a look at with flying colours regardless of an early problem to his lead.
After Most Needed set the tempo for the opening quarter mile in :23.60, Reylu Gutierrez aboard Indispensable took benefit of a gap on the rail to sneak by the favourite and assert himself on prime. Geroux was content material to sit down second via a half in :47.48, however reestablished himself on prime on the 3/eighth pole.
E J Gained the Cup  rolled up on the skin for Mike Smith turning for residence and pulled even with a furlong left. Most Needed, who was nonetheless battling Indispensable on his inside, responded and battled again.
On the wire, Most Needed completed one size away from E J Gained the Cup with Indispensable one other head again in third. Most Needed accomplished the space in 1:49.46 and paid $3.60.
A homebred for Gary and Mary West, Most Needed has now earned $519,553.
Video: Oklahoma Derby (G3)
Alpine Princess Returns an Simple Winner in Remington Park Oaks
The job wasn’t as troublesome for Filled with Run Racing II and Madaket Stables’ Alpine Princess , who one race earlier strolled residence a 9 3/4-length winner of the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks.
As soon as a contender on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) path following her Dec. 26 victory within the Untapable Stakes at Truthful Grounds Race Course & Slots, Alpine Princess had not raced since ending third within the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park March 23.
The daughter of Traditional Empire confirmed no indicators of rust, comfortably settling simply off the tempo for Geroux from her far outdoors gate. Longshot Change It Up set fractions of :24.43 and :48.29 however gave approach to Remington’s native star Miss Code West coming into the far flip.
Alpine Princess attacked Miss Code West on the 5/sixteenth pole. The Oklahoma-bred battled gallantly however settled for her first defeat at Remington Park in six begins. Alpine Princess accomplished 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.12. Simply Be Quiet was third.
Alpine Princess now holds a report of 4-0-2 from eight begins for $371,810 in earnings. Filled with Run Racing bought her for $190,000 on the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
