Broadway Empire steals Oklahoma Derby from the front end

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Broadway Empire, ridden by Rico Walcott, set the entire pace and easily won Sunday's $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.

West Virginia and Super Derby winner Departing was sent off as the 3-10 favorite in the eight-horse field with seven betting interests. Broadway Empire was the 3-1 second pick.

Broadway Empire, trained Robertino Diodoro, took the lead shortly after the start and proceeded to set the pace the entire way. Departing and jockey Robby Albarado were racing fifth on the outside.

Broadway Empire hit the stretch five lengths to the good and went on to post a four-length victory over 9-1 third choice Cameo Appearance. Finishing third was 22-1 longshot Carve followed by Departing, Braveman, Holiday Mischief and the entry of Texas Bling and He Has Bling.

The time for the Oklahoma Derby was 1:49.44 on a fast track.

Owned by the Alberta partnership of Randy Howg, Bob Butz, Fouad El Kardy and Rick Running Rabbit, Broadway Empire adds $240,000 to his earnings. The 3- year-old gelding has won four of six career starts for $405,745.

Broadway Empire was coming out of a victory of the Canadian Derby at Northlands Park in Edmonton on Aug. 17. He broke his maiden by 16 1/2 lengths on March 18 at Turf Paradise in his first start.

The gelding finished as the runner-up to Let Em Shine in the Came Home Stakes at Hollywood Park in May and was sixth in the Affirmed Handicap the next month at Hollywood.

Broadway Empire rebounded with a win at Northlands in the Ky Alta Handicap six weeks prior to the Canadian Derby.

Broadway Empire returned $8.80, $4.20 and $30.00. Cameo Appearance paid $9.00 and $43.60, and Carve paid $76.40 to show.