For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 24, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY – The 20th Anniversary American Quarter Horse Season at Remington Park is the richest in terms of racing purses for the competing horses and horsemen in any season of its kind here. A rare second seasonal increase in purses will go into effect when fields are drawn for racing on Friday morning.
Beginning with Remington Park racing on Thursday, May 1, all overnight races for Quarter Horses will increase by $1,000. That money will be added to the previously scheduled amount. Overnight races include all events that are not stakes or handicaps.
This will be the second $1,000 per race increase to occur this season at Remington Park. The first went into effect on April 3.
"Being able to raise purses again so soon is an indication of how much people enjoy coming out to see the world's fastest athletes,” said Remington Park vice president and general manager Scott Wells. “Business at Remington Park is definitely on the upswing."
Remington Park is expected to shatter its Quarter Horse season record for average daily purse distribution during this 20th anniversary, at about $200,000 per racing program.
In addition to raising the level of Quarter Horse racing, Remington Park continues to contribute mightily to the State of Oklahoma’s Education Fund with over $20 Million going to the coffers since the track’s casino opened in late 2005.
When May racing begins, Remington Park will still have 20 outstanding dates remaining in the record-breaking 2008 Quarter Horse Season. Many top racing events are still on the calendar, including:
- Kentucky Derby (May 3) and Preakness Stakes (May 17) simulcast dates, presented in conjunction with live racing programs
- Memorial Day racing on May 26
- The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity on June 1, Remington Park’s first million-dollar race.
- The $150,000 Remington Park Championship on June 1
The first race during the Remington Park Quarter Horse Season is normally scheduled for 6:25 p.m., Thursday thru Sunday.
Special post times of 5:30 p.m. will be in effect for both Kentucky Derby (May 3) and Preakness Stakes (May 17) days. The holiday program on Memorial Day (May 26) begins at 12:30 p.m.
A division of MEC, Magna Entertainment Corp., 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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