In her first start since June, Fernweh ($4.60) remained unbeaten in three starts with an impressive victory in Sunday's time trials for the $275,000-estimated Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Quarter Horse Derby. The fifnal will be run on April 18.
Fernweh ran 400 yards in 19.62 seconds to set the fastest qualifying time with a victory in the second of five trials. Owned by Rusty Arnold of Graham, Texas, and trained by Blane Wood, Fernweh is unbeaten in three starts, having won a time trial and the $1 million final of the Ruidoso Futurity last spring. Fernweh was sidelined with a knee injury following the lucrative stakes win at Ruidoso.
The Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby will have a strong field. The second-fastest qualifier from Sunday's trials was Mr Jess Jenkins, the winner of the $3 million All American Futurity, who won the first division in 19.78 seconds. Mr Jess Jenkins paid $3.20 on Sunday.
The other qualifiers are Jesse D (19.86 seconds), Dynasty Cartel (19.92), Relentless Gun (19.94), Jess My Hocks (19.95), Chilitos (20), Really First Down (20.08), Relenteless Jessie (20.14) and A Painted Dynasty (20.15).
Jess My Hocks ($11.20) and Chilitos were first and second in the third trial, while Jesse D ($6.40), Relentless Jessie and A Painted Dynasty were the top three in the fourth trial.
Dynasty Cartel was second to Fernweh, while Relentless Gun and Really First Down were second and third to Mr Jess Jenkins.
Soul Kisser ($9.20) won the fifth and final trial, but the final time was 20.22 seconds.