For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
RECENT GRADED STAKES WINNERS ARE FAVORED IN FEATURED RACES AT REMINGTON PARK SATURDAY
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Opening Night of the 2010 Thoroughbred Season is just a day away at Remington Park where the excitement for the new season continues to build.
The fields for the $200,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup and the $150,000 Governor’s Cup, both to be contested Saturday night, were compiled by the track’s racing office today. Atta Boy Roy, winner of the Grade 2, $250,000 Churchill Downs Handicap on the Kentucky Derby undercard in May at the historic Louisville track will be the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the Sprint Cup. Calvin Borel, winning jockey in three of the last four Kentucky Derbies will travel to Remington Park exclusively for the ride with Atta Boy Roy, trained by Valorie Lund.
“Atta Boy Roy has been very solid in his last four races and was particularly impressive when he won the Churchill Downs Handicap,” noted Remington Park odds-maker Jerry Shottenkirk. “In addition to his good form, having the services of jockey Calvin Borel will likely make him the favorite.”
The Sprint Cup drew seven to battle six furlongs with three of the contenders boasting status as graded stakes winners in their careers. In addition to Atta Boy Roy, Jonesboro and Lantana Mob have captured graded races in the past.
Jonesboro is a multiple graded winner in races going more than a mile. He will shorten up for his first sprint attempt since running in this same event in October of 2008, when it was known as the Remington Park Sprint Championship. Trained by Randy Morse, Jonesboro won that race, going seven furlongs. Cliff Berry has the call in the Sprint Cup.
Lantana Mob, trained by Remington Park defending leading trainer Steve Asmussen, will make his first local start in the Sprint Cup. A 5-year-old, Lantana Mob won the Grade 3, $100,000 Hirsch Jacobs Stakes on the Preakness Stakes undercard in 2008. Aaron Gryder has the call on Lantana Mob.
The complete field for the Remington Park Sprint Cup, by post position with trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:
1. Jonesboro, Randy Morse, Cliff Berry, 6-1
2. Atta Boy Roy, Valorie Lund, Calvin Borel, 2-1
3. Wando Redd, Jorge Lara, Carlos Gonzalez, 12-1
4. Man Chester Man, Cash Asmussen, Tony McNeil, 10-1
5. Lantana Mob, Steve Asmussen, Aaron Gryder, 5-2
6. Greeley’s Conquest, Gary Thomas, Martin Escobar, 9-2
7. Fifth Date, Larry Brown, Nena Matz, 12-1
1. Jonesboro, Randy Morse, Cliff Berry, 6-1
2. Atta Boy Roy, Valorie Lund, Calvin Borel, 2-1
3. Wando Redd, Jorge Lara, Carlos Gonzalez, 12-1
4. Man Chester Man, Cash Asmussen, Tony McNeil, 10-1
5. Lantana Mob, Steve Asmussen, Aaron Gryder, 5-2
6. Greeley’s Conquest, Gary Thomas, Martin Escobar, 9-2
7. Fifth Date, Larry Brown, Nena Matz, 12-1
The 1-1/16 miles Governor’s Cup features the defending winner of the race and another recent graded stakes winner.
Going Ballistic won the Governor’s Cup a year ago and puts his perfect Remington Park record on the line Saturday night. Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Going Ballistic has won all three of his career Oklahoma City races: the 2006 Springboard Mile, the 2007 Oklahoma Derby and the 2009 Governor’s Cup.
The 6-year-old late-running gray ran down Jonesboro to win last year’s Governor’s Cup and become a millionaire in the process. Berry has the mount on Going Ballistic.
While his local stature carries plenty of clout, Going Ballistic just misses favored morning-line status at 5-2 odds as Shadowbdancing, winner of the Grade 2, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows this summer has been installed at 2-1.
“It's a favorable scenario for a speed horse like Shadowbdancing, one of the top horses in middle America,” Shottenkirk pointed out. “Because of an apparent lack of a super-fast pace in the race, Shadowbdancing rates an edge. However, Going Ballistic has won all three of his local starts and will definitely get his share of support.”
Trained by Terrel Gore, Shadowbdancing will be ridden by Eusebio Razo, Jr. who has been up for all three of the horse’s wins this year.
The complete field for the Governor’s Cup by post position, with trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:
1. Instill, John Wainwright, Shane Laviolette, 15-1
2. Red Lead, Chris Hartman, Ramsey Zimmerman, 7-2
3. Alwayswithapproval, Joe Offolter, Luis Quinonez, 10-1
4. Shadowbdancing, Terrel Gore, Eusebio Razo, Jr., 2-1
5. Sunday Sunrise, Steve Asmussen, Aaron Gryder, 6-1
6. Kick On, Joe Petalino, Bryan McNeil, 15-1
7. Going Ballistic, Donnie Von Hemel, Cliff Berry, 5-2
1. Instill, John Wainwright, Shane Laviolette, 15-1
2. Red Lead, Chris Hartman, Ramsey Zimmerman, 7-2
3. Alwayswithapproval, Joe Offolter, Luis Quinonez, 10-1
4. Shadowbdancing, Terrel Gore, Eusebio Razo, Jr., 2-1
5. Sunday Sunrise, Steve Asmussen, Aaron Gryder, 6-1
6. Kick On, Joe Petalino, Bryan McNeil, 15-1
7. Going Ballistic, Donnie Von Hemel, Cliff Berry, 5-2
The first race for the opening three nights of the season, Aug. 19-21, is 6:30pm. Remington Park will move to a regular Wednesday thru Saturday evening schedule starting Aug. 25.
Remington Park fans can win $500 in Cash by playing the races during the first three nights of the season. Drawings for the $500 in Cash will begin starting after race 3 and continue thru the end of live racing. Fans simply use their Lucky Circle Card as they wager on Remington Park live racing to be eligible.
Remington Park casino action continues each and every day, featuring 750 of the best games to play. Doors open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing.
Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino, 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.
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