Favored Top Hit Nips Unbridled Time in Oklahoma Derby

Fifth through the early going, Top Hit rallied three wide into the stretch to win Sunday's $300,000 Oklahoma Derby (gr. III) at Remington Park. Top Hit, who finished second in the Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) --between Until Sundown and Bayou the Moon -- earned $180,000 and his first graded stakes win.

Garrett Gomez rode the winner to the head-length victory over Unbridled Time, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.79 on a fast track. Compendium came home third, 3 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up. Devout Sinner, Buckets, and Rockchalk Jayhawk

Triple AAA Ranch's Top Hit (Twining--Popular Tune, by Stop the Music) last win a stakes race in February at Turf Paradise and since then has hit the board in the Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes (gr. III) and the Affirmed Handicap. Last out, he finished fourth in the Swaps Stakes (gr. I). The 3-year-old colt is trained by R. Kory Owens and was bred in Pennsylvania by Maple Leaf Farm.

The 13-10 favorite, Top Hit returned $4.60, $3, and $2.40. Unbridled Time paid $3.20 and $2.40 and completed the $11 exacta. Compendium paid $2.60 to show. (Chart, Equibase)