The late Pat Steinberg dominated the Remington Park Thoroughbred standings in the track’s early years, winning nine consecutive season titles from 1989-1993 before his untimely death. Over 19 years after his passing, his son Garrett Steinberg won his first Remington Park race in the fourth on Wednesday night.
Steinberg, 23, won aboard Detention in a $28,000 Maiden Special Weight event at 7 1/2 furlongs over the turf. Owned by Lester Ellenz of Tipton, Kan. and trained by Clinton Stuart, Detention rallied off the final turn, took the lead in the stretch and then held off Texas Bling to win by a neck.
Steinberg began his career as a jockey in April this year, winning his debut race while competing at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa.
Billy Two Hats Perfect
Wednesday’s allowance feature, a $40,000 turf sprint at five furlongs, went to Billy Two Hats who kept his Remington Park resume perfect in two career starts. Owned by Thunderhead Farms of Des Moines, Iowa, and trained by Kelly Von Hemel, both of the local wins for Billy Two Hats have taken place on the turf at the quick distance of five furlongs.
Ridden with confidence by Alex Birzer, Billy Two Hats was in contention for the lead early; he then was relaxed and fell to third position before the final quarter-mile run. The slight breather helped conserve energy for the run to the finish as Billy Two Socks scored by 1 1/4 lengths over Solar Charge in :56.48 seconds over the firm going.
At 6-1 odds in the wagering, Billy Two Hats paid $14.20 to win, $8.20 to place and $4.40 to show. Solar Charge paid $15.40 to place and $7.20 to show. Pure Tactics was along for third as the beaten 8-5 favorite and paid $2.60 to show.
The second turf win in as many career tries for Billy Two Hats was his sixth win overall from 13 career starts. A Kentucky-bred gelding by Aragorn (Ire) from the Dixieland Band mare Silent Oath, the winner’s share of $23,796 boosted his lifetime bankroll to $157,898.
Remington Park racing continues Thursday thru Saturday at 6:30pm nightly. The $50,000 Ricks Memorial Stakes is featured on Friday evening. A special holiday afternoon program on Labor Day Monday, Sept. 3 will begin at 1:30pm.