$167,375 Oklahoma Classics Classic presented by the Chickasaw Nation
UPSET IN THE OKLAHOMA CLASSIC AS J J’S INDY LEADS THROUGHOUT
J J’s Indy pulled off the shocker of the Oklahoma Classics program Friday at Remington Park, upsetting 3-5 favorite Pleasant Storm in the biggest race of the night, the $167,375 Classic, presented by The Chickasaw Nation.
Going all the way on the lead from the starting gate to finish at 1-1/16 miles under jockey Dale Cordova for trainer Brent Charlton and owner Marvin Wooldridge of Oklahoma City, J J’s Indy established a comfortable pace while unpressured by rivals to have plenty left in the stretch to hold off the expected late rally of Pleasant Storm. The 3-year-old Pleasant Storm tried to make a run from midpack at the top of the stretch but the front-running J J’s Indy had too much for the favorite to catch him.
"I knew turning for home, he still had something left," said Cordova. "This horse always makes my meet. He’s my favorite horse."
The 4-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelding handled the first quarter-mile in :24.40 seconds and a half-mile in :48.75 seconds before making his six-furlong split in 1:13.01. At that point, J J’s Indy had plenty of strength to get home in front by 1-1/2 lengths while crossing the finish in 1:44.57 over the muddy surface.
Pleasant Storm advanced to runner-up status and was 4-3/4 lengths ahead of Motion Approved who was third while Some Quick was along for fourth.
J J’s Indy was 9-2 in the wagering and paid $11.40 to win, $4.60 to place and $4.20 to show. The beaten favorite Pleasant Storm paid $2.20 to place and $2.20 to show. Motion Approved returned $6.60 to show.
The exacta (Nos. 9-4) paid $25.20 with the trifecta (9-4-7) paying $428.60. The superfecta (9-4-7-3) paid $1,311.
J J’s Indy won his fourth career race from 21 attempts with all four scores taking place at Remington Park. He was second in the Classic a year ago.
The winner’s share of $100,425 moved his overall earnings to $209,265. He’s a son of Indy Talent from the Dauphin Fabuleux mare Dauphin’s Witness.
The Classic win is the second for Charlton overall and third for Cordova.
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Photo Credit: Dustin Orona Photography
