Going Ballistic Favored in Labor Day DeBartolo Breeders' Cup at Remington Park

For Immediate Release

Friday, September 3, 2010

 

LATE-RUNNING GOING BALLISTIC FAVORED IN DEBARTOLO BREEDERS’ CUP ON LABOR DAY

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The lone career millionaire entered in Labor Day’s $125,000 Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Breeders’ Cup at Remington Park has been tabbed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite.

 

Going Ballistic, the 2007 Oklahoma Derby winner who was undefeated at Remington Park until this year’s Governor’s Cup, will try to rebound in his first turf attempt ever in Oklahoma City. Owned by Kindred Thoroughbreds of Dallas and trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Going Ballistic will be handled by jockey Cliff Berry in the 1-1/8 miles DeBartolo, the second-richest turf race of the Remington Park season.

 

A 6-year-old gray who fashions a deep-closing move, Going Ballistic finished third in the Governor’s Cup here Aug. 21, failing to stay undefeated locally in his fourth career Remington Park start. Previously, Going Ballistic had won the 2006 Springboard Mile, the 2007 Oklahoma Derby and the 2009 Governor’s Cup. The Florida-bred horse will make his first turf start at Remington Park but has achieved success over the lawn in his career, witnessed by his nine in the money runs from 12 grass starts with three wins.

 

While his finish in the Governor’s Cup may have been disappointing to some, the way he competed in that race did not go unnoticed by Remington Park odds-maker Jerry Shottenkirk.

 

“Going Ballistic earned his way into the favorite's role with a third-place finish in the Governor's Cup, which had a slower pace, proving detrimental to his late kick,” Shottenkirk detailed. “He certainly has the turf credentials, having won 3 races and earning $304,795 on the turf alone. Overall, he's won more than $1.1 million and is trained by Donnie Von Hemel, the all-time leading trainer at Remington. Those are strong factors in making him the favorite."

 

Heza Wild Guy was made the second morning-line choice at 7-2 odds. Owned by the St. Paul, Minn. partnership of Will Carlson and Jerry Pint, Heza Wild Guy is trained by Bernell Rhone and has had his share of success at Remington Park.

 

"Heza Wild Guy has won $547,366 on the grass and is 2 of 6 over the local turf,” Shottenkirk noted. “The venerable 9-year-old has won 28 races and is always in the mix. He'll get plenty of support at the mutuel windows.”

 

Heza Wild Guy will be ridden by Rhone’s son-in-law Dean Butler in the DeBartolo. He guided the gelding to a third-place finish in the race a year ago after setting the pace for the first six furlongs.

 

The field for the $125,000 DeBartolo by post position and program number with trainers, jockeys and morning-line odds is:

1. Pursue A Dream, Michael Biehler, Bobby Walker, Jr., 5-1
2. Que Paso, Jack Frost, Glen Murphy, 8-1
3. Tricky Causeway, Chris Hartman, Ramsey Zimmerman, 20-1
4. Claudia’s Forum, Michelle Lovell, Bryan McNeil, 20-1
5. Greycliff Exchange, Steve Asmussen, Aaron Gryder, 10-1
6. Going Ballistic, Donnie Von Hemel, Cliff Berry, 5-2
7. King Dan, Dallas Keen, Curtis Kimes, 12-1
8. Quite A Handful, Andrew Hansen, Chris Landeros, 6-1
9. Heza Wild Guy, Bernell Rhone, Dean Butler, 7-2
10. Peach Brew, Donnie Von Hemel, Quincy Hamilton, 10-1

 

Peach Brew is the lone female in the DeBartolo field this year. The race was won by the mare Tizfiz a year ago.

 

A handicap event, the top morning-line horses will also tote the top weight for the race as both Going Ballistic and Heza Wild Guy will carry 121 pounds over 1-1/8 miles.

 

The DeBartolo has been carded as the finale on the 10-race Labor Day program at Remington Park with a scheduled post time of 5:42pm (central). The DeBartolo is named after the founder of Remington Park who passed away in 1994.

 

The main event on the Labor Day undercard is the $50,000 Ricks Memorial Stakes. The race for older fillies and mares is over the turf at one mile. Hisse, owned by Heiligbrodt Racing Stable of Houston and trained by Steve Asmussen, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in a field of 12 for the Ricks. She will be ridden by Aaron Gryder.

 

A 5-year-old mare by Buddha, Hisse has won three of six career turf starts and boasts lifetime earnings of $344,571.

 

The Ricks is named in honor of the late Ran Ricks, Jr. who was a major owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds in Oklahoma and was influential in bringing pari-mutuel wagering to the state. He passed away in 1996.

 

The Ricks has been carded as the seventh race on Labor Day with a scheduled post time of 4:18pm. The first race on the holiday afternoon program will leave the gate at 1:30pm.

 

Remington Park features family fun activities and $1 pricing on sodas, hot dogs and beer on The Plaza during the Labor Day program.

 

Remington Park is open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing. The normal weekly racing schedule for the Thoroughbred Season is Wednesday thru Saturday at 6:30pm. The season continues thru Dec. 11. 

 

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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For More Information, Contact:
Dale Day
405-425-3215

Dale.day@remingtonpark.com