Cool summer weather and steady rain greeted the early-arriving Thoroughbreds to Remington Park’s stable area earlier this week. This morning, some of those athletes made their initial trips to the dampened racetrack as the main racing surface opened for training in preparation for a new live racing season.
The 2013 Thoroughbred season begins on Friday, Aug. 16, as Remington Park continues to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
A pair of 2-year-old colts earned and shared first official workout status, going three furlongs handily in :38.44 seconds over a track labeled good by Remington Park clocker Vicky Grothaus. Both colts are trained by Travis Murphy of Jones, Okla. He’s assisted by his wife Cindy Murphy, who worked one of the youngsters at 7:40 a.m. (Central).
“We purchased them at Keeneland last year and we’re really high on them,” said Cindy Murphy. “The one I was on is an Artie Schiller out of the mare Frozen Rope (by Clever Trick). The other is a colt is by Strong Contender out of Jostle (by Brocco). Dennis Means worked him.
“They worked really well; the track was a little tight because of all the rain so we didn’t want to work them as fast as they could go, obviously. I was really happy with them. We’re hoping to get in with these 2-year-olds right as the races start.”
There were seven Thoroughbreds to receive official workouts on the first morning of training. Activity is expected to increase drastically in the coming days as more horses arrive from other racing venues and as wet weather subsides.
Remington Park racing will begin at 7 p.m. for all August race dates. The Opening Weekend features a 25th Anniversary Cap Giveaway on Friday, Aug. 16, with Cash Giveaways on Saturday, Aug. 17. The first stakes races of the season take place Saturday, Aug. 17, with the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at 1 1/8 miles and the $75,000 David M. Vance Sprint Stakes at six furlongs.
Open daily at 10:30 a.m. for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park also features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park, home of the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby to be run for the 25th time on September 29, 2013.
Tracked by over 40,000 fans on Facebook and 4,200 Twitter followers, Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only racetrack and casino and is located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.