Jc Black Mamba, ridden by Bryan Candanosa, clocked the fastest qualifying time to the $95,576 OQHRA Mystery Derby on Monday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs.

© Coady Photography

CLAREMORE, OK–NOVEMBER 6, 2023–36 three-year-olds competed for a spot in the $95,576 OQHRA Mystery Derby Monday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs. The top two fastest times came from trial one of four with Jc Black Mamba setting the time to beat.

Favored to win, Jc Black Mamba took the lead at first call and held it to the wire for a 97 speed index in :17.601 seconds. Bryan Candanosa guided the daughter of Ivory James to her 1/2-length victory over Relentless Okie, who was second fastest qualifier to the 350-yard final. The victory paid $4.60 to win on 6/5 odds.

Conditioned by Waylan Melton, Jc Black Mamba has lit the board nine of 14 starts with five career wins and $78,662 in the bank. The Oklahoma-bred filly placed second in the Speedhorse Derby in July of this year and was a finalist in last year's Ruidoso Downs Juvenile Challenge Stakes [G3] and Laico Bird Stakes [G3].

Bred and owned by Jose Cervantes, Jr. Jc Black Mamba is out of the Rare Form mare Fine Clover. 

Runner-up to Jc Black Mamba was Relentless Okie who clocked the second fastest qualifying time to the finals. Piloted by Edwin Escobedo, the son of Hes Relentless closed in fast clocking a 96 speed index in :17.654 seconds at the wire. Relentless Okie was a close favorite to win with 7/5 odds at post time and paid $2.60 to place.

Trainer Jason Olmstead saddled Relentless Okie for owner/breeder Tom Maher. Olmstead qualified a total of four finalist to the OQHRA Mystery Derby.

Relentless Okie has a lifetime record of 3-4-6 from 17 starts with $83,193 in career earnings, including a second in the Canterbury Park Derby, third in the Prairie Dash Stakes and fourth in the Prairie Meadows Gold Derby this season.

Relentless Okie was bred in Oklahoma out of Ms Dynasty by FDD Dynasty. 

CLICK HERE for complete details on the $95,576 OQHRA Mystery Derby Trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey. Finals are to be ran on November 19, 2023.

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The 2023 fall season officially began at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs September 11th and will concludes November 14th. Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is located 3 miles east of Claremore on Highway 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.