In perhaps the best finish of any race this season at Remington Park, 9-year-old Scrappy Roo had the nose edge in a close photo between three rivals to win Saturday’s $33,000 allowance/optional claiming feature on the turf.
Owned and trained by Steve Asmussen of Arlington, Texas, Scrappy Roo rallied from the back in the field of nine to just get up for victory. Jockey Lindey Wade asked him for his run as the field went to the final turn of the one-mile race. Scrappy Roo passed the tiring pace-setter Smack Ridge in late stretch and then battled with late-runner Little Wagon and Kate’s Main Man to get the win.
Little Wagon was last, 13 lengths behind the pace with a half-mile left, and just missed to settle for second. Kate’s Main Man was another nose back in third. Scrappy Roo crossed the finish in 1:36.68 over the firm course.
Leaving the starting gate at 4-1 in the wagering, Scrappy Roo paid $10.20 to win, $5.40 to place and $3.80 to show. Little Wagon paid $11.20 to place and $4.80 to show. Kate’s Main Man paid $5.40 to show. Smack Ridge was the even-money betting favorite in the race, tiring to fifth in the stretch.
Scrappy Roo has won 22 of 48 career races with 20 of those over turf courses. He has now won six races at Remington Park. Saturday’s $19,596 check for the win moves the career earnings for Scrappy Roo to $410,509. Bred in Texas by Dr. David Taylor, Scrappy Roo is a gelding by Roo Art from the King Lyph mare Dance’s Lyph. His biggest career victory came in the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Handicap (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park in 2008.
The back-and-forth continues atop the jockey standings as Luis Quinonez won one race on Saturday aboard Lady Jordan ($7 to win) in the fifth race. He now has 23 victories for the season, one better than Cliff Berry.
Remington Park now begins the week of activity for the Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, Sept. 30. There will be no live racing on Wednesday night, Sept. 26. Instead, the 2012 Thoroughbred induction ceremony for the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame will be held in the Eclipse Room.
Live racing will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 6:30pm. The Oklahoma Derby program on Sunday afternoon starts at 1:30pm.
The 24th running of the Oklahoma Derby leads a stellar stakes-laden program worth more than $1,000,000.