Stewart Elliott found the wire in the nick of time, winning a three-way photo aboard J. Kirk and Judy Robison's How Did He Do That in Sunday night's Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The 3-year-old colt from the first crop by Good Magic out of Stormin Maggy, by Storm Cat, had just enough left to hold off a furious late charge from his stretch-running Steve Asmussen stablemate, Red Route One, ridden by Joel Rosario. Tumbarumba, under Rafael Bejarano finished another nose back in third.
They were followed by Raise Cain, Cagliostro, 9-10 favorite Hit Show, Heroico Move, Groveland, Gunflash, Ghost Hero, Pearl's Earl and Mor Lana Spirit. West Coast Cowboy was scratched.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, How Did He Do That was purchased by the Robisons for $190,000 from Warrendale Sales at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale. Stormin Maggy is a half sister to champion and dual classic winner Afleet Alex (by Northern Afleet).
How Did He Do That ran the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50.34 and paid $91.20 to win. He combined with his Asmussen stablemate Red Route One (5-1 third betting choice) for a $2 exacta that paid $524.40.
Asmussen, the sport's all-time winningest trainer and current leader of the Remington Park standings, previously won the Oklahoma Derby in 2017 with Untrapped. This was the first Oklahoma Derby win for Elliott, who sits atop the Remington Park jockey standings.
How Did He Do That raced just off the flank of longshot pacesetter Ghost Hero, who set fractions of :23.57, :48.05, and 1:12.21 for the first six furlongs. Tumbarumba saved ground just behind the leaders, with Red Route One taking his customary position near the back of the pack.
How Did He Do That moved to the front turning for home, drifting out under a left-handed strike of Elliott's riding crop into Groveland. The latter was also brushed from the outside by Caglionostro. How Did He Do That held a narrow lead with a furlong to run, with Tumbarumba rallying up the rail and Red Route One gobbling up ground behind him.
As they raced to the wire How Did He Do that maintained the advantage, but both Red Route One and Tumbarumba were surging as the trio hit the wire together.
It was a length back to Raise Cain in fourth, who was a head before Cagliostro. Hit Show, under Flavien Prat for Brad Cox, was wide throughout and was never a threat, beaten 2 1/2 lengths.
Stewards conducted an inquiry into the incident at the top of the stretch but allowed the original order of finish to stand.
The win was the fourth from 14 starts for How Did He Do That, who previously won the Zia Juvenile last November and dead-heated for the win with One in Vermillion in the Iowa Derby.
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