For Immediate Release
Thursday, September 20, 2012
LAST TO FIRST FOR BENWILL IN TURF ALLOWANCE
OKLAHOMA CITY – After a summer of competing in his home state in Louisiana-bred stakes races, Benwill traveled to Remington Park for a Thursday romp over the turf. The 3-year-old colt was last early but rolled late to get up for a half-length triumph in thrilling fashion.
Owned by Royce Roberts of Humble, Texas and trained by Tony Richey, jockey Cliff Berry had the call for Benwill’s Remington Park debut in a $31,500 one-mile race over firm turf. Last after a quarter-mile, 5-1/2 lengths behind the pace-setting My Silver Bear, Benwill stayed close to the pack and began his move into the final turn.
Berry had Benwill to the outside entering the stretch while My Silver Bear stayed near the rail. Well separated in the lane, Benwill began to drift out and away from his rival in the final furlong but was still able to get up in the final strides to thwart the front-running My Silver Bear, crossing the finish in 1:35.79 for the mile.
Benwill was 5-2 in the wagering and paid $7.40 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.40 to show. My Silver Bear paid $5 to place and $3.60 to show. Honest Opinion, a filly competing against the males, was third and paid $4.20 to show. Herp was the beaten 8-5 betting favorite, running fifth.
A colt by Leestown from the Dynaformer mare Dynaspice, Benwill won his third career race and picked up $18,747 for the score to run his lifetime bankroll to $92,335.
The win on Benwill moved Berry back on top in the jockey standings. He now leads Luis Quinonez by one win, 22-21.
Remington Park racing continues Friday and Saturday night. Co-feature stakes events for Oklahoma-breds headline the Friday card with the $50,000 Tishomingo Stakes and the $50,000 Te Ata Stakes. The first race nightly is at 6:30pm.
The 24th-running of the Oklahoma Derby is fast approaching on Sunday, Sept. 30. A stellar stakes-laden program worth more than $1,000,000 will be presented, led by the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby. The special Sunday afternoon of racing is at 1:30pm.
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 20,000 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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Photo Credit: Dustin Orona Photography
For more information, contact:
Dale Day
Dale.day@remingtonpark.com
405-425-3215, 405-326-7496 (m)
