Oklahoma-bred Shotgun Kowboy, winner of the 2015 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park as well as the restricted Oklahoma Classics Cup, continues his preparations for a start in the G1, $500,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27.
Owned, trained and bred in Oklahoma by C.R. Trout, Shotgun Kowboy continues to move forward for his first Grade 1 stakes attempt.
“He’s on a schedule and we needed to work him this morning, even though it was a muddy track. We needed to see how he liked it. He handled it well and wasn’t breathing hard when he came off the track. We’ve got him ready,” said Trout.
Shotgun Kowboy breezed a half-mile in :48.78 seconds under jockey Cliff Berry, who will keep the assignment on the derby winner for the Clark.
Trout is pleased and somewhat amazed at his 3-year-old gelding by Kodiak Kowboy from the Siphon (Brz) mare Shotgun Jane.
“All I do is feed him. I’m as confident in this horse as I’ve ever been with any of my horses. There will be some big horses for the Clark but he deserves the opportunity and I think he’ll hold his own.”
Shotgun Kowboy is scheduled to have two more workouts at Remington Park before shipping to Louisville, Ky. Trout mentioned he will have a five-furlong workout then another half-mile breeze before loading onto a van bound for the twin spires of Churchill Downs. Trout will pilot the vehicle carrying Shotgun Kowboy to his first out of Oklahoma engagement. All eight of his career starts have taken place in Oklahoma City with six wins and more than $585,000 earned.