AJ Remember Me, ridden by Juan Pulido, surges past early leader A Desperate Eagle to capture the Grade 3 $259,655 Oklahoma Derby on Saturday night at Remington Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH  21, 2026– AJ Remember Me was the top qualifier through trials on March 8 for the Grade 3, $259,655 Oklahoma Derby. Saturday night at Remington Park he handled the billing to score the 350-yard final event for 3-year-olds by a half-length.

Owned by Corinna Sosa of Blanchard, Okla., AJ Remember Me is trained by Josue Garcia and was ridden by Juan Pulido. The colt by Apollitical Jess from the Tres Seis mare Remember Robyn stays undefeated through two career starts. He was bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc..

AJ Remember Me broke well but did not have the lead immediately as A Desperate Eagle (12-1 odds) came away best from the far outside post to have the advantage early. After about 150 yards, AJ Remember Me was in full force and took over, pulling clear by the half-length in a time of :17.454 over the fast track, earning a speed index of 94. A Desperate Eagle held second while Emerald Bay (16-1) was three-quarters of a length behind the winner in third.

The heavy wagering favorite at 1-5 odds, AJ Remember Me paid $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. The winner’s share of the purse, $103,862, boosted the career earning for AJ Remember Me to $559,232. AJ Remember Me has now won five of nine career attempts, with two seconds and two more finishes in third. The Oklahoma Derby was his third victory from as many starts at Remington Park.

This was the second victory in the Oklahoma Derby for Pulido who rode Card One Starter to the score in 2021. It was the first Oklahoma Derby win for Sosa and Garcia.

Runner-up A Desperate Eagle broke on top but could not hold off the winner, finishing second after stopping the clock in :17.518 seconds . The gelding is a homebred for Darling Farms, trained by Josue Jacob Garcia and ridden by Francisco Calderon. He now holds a record of 7-2-3-0 with earnings of $30,101 and was a finalist in last year’s LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes. A Desperate Eagle is sired by champion Eagles Fly Higher and is out of the Carters Cartel mare Desperate Daisy, a winner and Grade 1 finalist.

Emerald Bay broke in second under James Flores but weakened late to finish third, stopping the clock in :17.634 seconds . The $60,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale repurchase was bred by Mike Vaughan, owned by Wishbone Partnership, and trained by Dee Keener. The filly is sired by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 and is out of the Corona Cartel mare Aqua Girl ($48,245), a stakes placed runner and full sister to stakes winner Corona Springs ($93,963). The female line also includes World Champion Wave Carver ($1,005,946), Champion Ocean Runaway ($1,642,498), Champion Uncle D ($689,165), and AQHA Dam of Distinction Runaway Wave ($79,183).

The remaining order of finish in the Oklahoma Derby had Luziana Man (7-2) fourth, Calling Chicks (39-1) fifth, DR Cocktail Hour (14-1) sixth, Rowdi (45-1) seventh and Toby Two (37-1) eighth.

Remington Park racing continues Sunday, March 22 with the first of 10 events set for 4pm-Central.

About Remington Park
Remington Park has provided more than $408 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The 2026 Remington Park Futurity, the richest race of the season for Oklahoma-breds, takes place on Saturday, April 18. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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