The Opening Weekend of the 2016 Remington Park Thoroughbred Season picked up a little star power for this Saturday night. Shotgun Kowboy, the 2015 Oklahoma Derby (G3) winner, has been entered into a 1-1/16 miles allowance event over the turf.
The talented Oklahoma-bred has competed in eight consecutive stakes events, dating back to his derby score here in September 2015. Owner/breeder/trainer C.R. Trout of Edmond, Okla. is ready to see his top horse back in action. “I would like to run him in some stakes over the turf at some point but we need to find out how he handles it first. This race came up so we’ll try him on the turf for the first time here at home. If he does well it gives us more options with him.”
A 4-year-old gelding by Kodiak Kowboy from the Siphon (Brz) mare Shotgun Jane, Shotgun Kowboy has finished second in three consecutive Grade 3 stakes events. His runner-up streak started with the Texas Mile and Lone Star Park Handicap in May in Grand Prairie, Texas. He was then second, beaten just a neck, in the Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa in early July.
“He’s been working well and is ready to go,” Trout noted. “The Governor’s Cup is on his schedule here in late September and this race Saturday night will benefit him. He was entered into the Downs at Albuquerque Handicap last weekend but I scratched him. They had a few big storms and the track condition there prompted my decision.”
There is a 70% chance of rain in the forecast for Oklahoma City on Saturday which may delay the turf debut for Shotgun Kowboy. “He has such a sweeping move, he should be fine on the turf. The plan is to run either way it goes, on the turf or if it gets taken off the turf.”
Shotgun Kowboy drew the rail post position for the fourth race on Saturday night at Remington Park. The allowance carries a $40,000 purse. The remainder in the six-horse field have all won over turf at least twice in their careers.
The field for race 4 on Saturday at Remington Park by post and program number, with trainer and jockey:
1. Shotgun Kowboy: C.R. Trout, Luis Quinonez
2. Ish Rules: Brent Davidson, David Cabrera
3. Runandyrun: Carlos Padilla, Iram Diego
4. Endurance: Tracy Norris, Lindey Wade
5. Ibaka: Bret Calhoun, C.J. McMahon
6. Golden But Stormy: J.R. Caldwell, Ramon Vazquez
Opening Weekend racing on Friday and Saturday night at Remington Park will begin at 7pm. After the first two nights of racing, Remington Park will move to a regular weekly schedule of Wednesday thru Saturday at 7pm beginning on Aug. 17.