For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 9, 2012
ALTERNATION FAVORED IN COMPETITIVE GOVERNOR’S CUP
OKLAHOMA CITY – The $200,000 Governor’s Cup on Saturday night at Remington Park drew five solid contenders with multiple graded stakes winner Alternation tabbed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite.
Alternation started his year with a four-race winning streak, the final three in graded events, before finishing off-the-board in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. in his last start. Owned by Josephine Abercrombie’s Pin Oak Stable of Versailles, Ky. and trained by Donnie Von Hemel, the 4-year-old colt has been one of the top horses in North America this year.
"Alternation is favored to continue the great success he's had this year. Wins in the Oaklawn Handicap and Pimlico Special placed him among the elite in the older horse ranks,” said Remington Park odds-maker Jerry Shottenkirk. “The Governor's Cup field doesn't possess a great deal of early speed other than Alternation and he should be in a position to dictate the pace."
Jockey Luis Quinonez will be on Alternation as he has been for the colt’s last six races dating back to the Oklahoma Derby in October.
The runner-up in the 2011 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park, Alternation finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Prayer For Relief who was the even-money favorite in the race. Now trained by Steve Asmussen, Prayer For Relief drew the rail post position and is the second morning-line choice at 8-5 odds.
The completed field for the Governor’s Cup, a 1-1/8 miles event for 3-year-olds and older, by post-position and program order with trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:
1. Prayer For Relief, Steve Asmussen, Mark Guidry, 8-5
2. Stachys, Michael Biehler, Jamie Theriot, 5-1
3. Get In Da House, Wesley Hawley, Cliff Berry, 8-1
4. Dreaminofthewin, C.R. Trout, Lindey Wade, 8-1
5. Alternation, Donnie Von Hemel, Luis Quinonez, 6-5
The Governor’s Cup is race eight of nine on Saturday and is scheduled to be contested at 9:46pm. The $100,000 David M. Vance Sprint Stakes precedes the Governor’s Cup in race seven.
Remington Park’s first race on Friday, Aug. 10 and Saturday, Aug. 11 is at 6:30pm. The Casino will be open until 3am both nights. All times are central.
Opening Weekend is Caps+Cash Weekend at Remington Park. Fans entering the racing entrance each night (beginning at 5pm, while supplies last) will receive a souvenir Remington Park cap and can enter a drawing to win their share of $8,000 that could be given away to guests throughout the first two race nights.
Open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park.
Remington Park, with over 18,000 fans on Facebook and 3,000 Twitter followers, is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino and is 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, 405-326-7496 (m)
