Fastest qualifier Aj Remember Me, a $120,000 Heritage Place graduate by Apollitical Jess, brings a consistent eight-race résumé into the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby.

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 17, 2026–Saturday evening at Remington Park continues championship night as the spotlight turns to the sophomore division in the Grade 3 $259,655 Oklahoma Derby. The race is scheduled as the ninth on the card, with an approximate post time of 9:36 PM, set at 350 yards, featuring ten accomplished three-year-olds emerging from a competitive set of seven trial heats contested during the opening weekend.

Aj Remember Me enters the derby finale as the fastest qualifier and the highest money-earning runner in the field, bringing an elite résumé into the championship event. The three-year-old colt has never finished off the board in eight career starts, proving his consistency against top-tier competition. His resume includes a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity, another third in the Ah Sigh Handicap Stakes, and a runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Those performances have helped him accumulate $455,370 in earnings for owner Corinna Sosa, who secured the colt for $120,000 at the Heritage Place Sale.

Sired by Apollitical Jess and out of Remember Robyn by Tres Seis, Aj Remember Me was bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc. Trainer Josue Jacob Garcia will saddle the colt from post position three as he makes his first start in the Oklahoma Derby final, with jockey Juan Pulido returning to the irons.

Luziana Man figures to be a major threat from post position four after delivering a strong effort in the trials to earn the second-fastest qualifying time. The gelding has built an impressive record of consistency, hitting the board in all ten of his career starts. His résumé includes multiple runner-up finishes in major Louisiana-bred futurities, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity, the Grade 1 Lee Berwick Memorial Louisiana Bred Futurity, and the Grade 1 LQHBA Sale Futurity, along with a third-place finish in the Grade 1 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity. He has earned $387,053 for owners Rosalio Espinosa and Jerry Deville, Jr., who purchased him for $13,500 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

The Louisiana-bred gelding is by Dominyun and out of Jewels Fortune by First Down Jewel, bred by Jerry West. Trainer Jose U. Lopez will saddle Luziana Man, as well as stablemate Toby Two, with jockey Bryan Candanosa returning for the riding assignment.

Emerald Bay adds further depth to the field from post position two, drawing inside for trainer Dee Keener and owner Wishbone Partnership. With James Flores aboard, the colt brings additional stakes presence into a race loaded with proven performers.

A full field of ten accomplished sophomores will line up in the 350-yard Grade 3 $259,655 Oklahoma Derby, setting up a highly competitive contest featuring multiple graded stakes performers and consistent earners looking to secure a marquee victory on one of the biggest nights of the Remington Park meet.

The undercard for the evening is equally strong, featuring the $50,000 Oklahoma Juvenile Stakes, the Grade 2 $20,000 Paul Harber Memorial Stakes, the Grade 1 $188,500 Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity, and the $35,000 Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity Juvenile.

A special memorial race will also be held as the fourth race on the program, the Cesar Gomez Memorial Purse, honoring the respected and talented jockey whose life was tragically lost eight years ago in a plane crash.

See related stories covering the Grade 2 $435,395 Oklahoma Futurity Final, the Grade 1 $188,500 Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity, and the $35,000 Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity Juvenile.

The races at Remington Park can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.