For Immediate Release
Saturday, April 26, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY – Overcoming poor beginnings in stakes races was the theme on Saturday night at Remington Park in two big Paint races. In both events, the wagering favorites struggled in the early strides with one managing to post a comeback win, the other finishing off the board.
In the $103,386 American Paint Classic, a restricted Grade 1 race for 2-year-old Paints, Speed Bandit stumbled leaving the starting gate but was able to keep going for the win under jockey Kenny Muntz at 6-5 odds.
While Speed Bandit ran through his troubles, SM Country Snowman could not in the $38,653 American Paint Derby during the prior race. Previously undefeated through seven races at Remington Park, SM Country Snowman suffered a severe stumble when the gates unlatched, nearly falling completely. Jockey G.R. Carter was able to stay aboard and get the heavy 3-5 favorite going forward but he could not make up the ground already lost to his foes, settling for fourth.
Owned by Tom Denham of Glenpool, Okla. and trained by Dee Keener, Speed Bandit was ahead of just one of his nine rivals after his stumble.
“I got a little scared when he fell down coming out of the gates,” Muntz said. “He got back up and got his feed back under him and I thought he might be able to go ahead and win the race.”
Speed Bandit moved past the leading Ride Me Hard in late stretch to gain victory by a head in :17.805 for the 350-yard Classic over a fast track.
Speed Bandit paid $4.40 to win, $2.80 to place and $3 to show. Ride Me Hard paid $4.20 to place and $3.40 to show. Awesome Fling was third and paid $3.20 to show.
The American Paint Classic win was the third straight for Speed Bandit, a 2-year-old gray gelding by Judys Lineage from the Leaving Memories mare Rocket Memories. All of the triumphs have taken place this season at Remington Park. He is perfect since finishing third in his career debut on the opening night of the meeting. The Oklahoma-bred earned $38,360 for the score and pushed his career bankroll to $48,096.
Taking advantage of opportunity in the American Paint Derby was Knee High Country. Owned by Suzie Marrs of Ada, Okla. and trained by Luis Villafranco, Knee High Country battled throughout the 400-yard derby, also a restricted Grade 1 race, with Solid Cowboy before pulling away to win by a length in :20.207.
Jockey Tad Leggett was up for the win with Knee High Country, who was in contention from the start.
“They kicked the gates and my horse left pretty well. She was right with them after 300 yards and she just took off. I knew she could run and I figured the 400 yards would help her. I know SM Country Snowman almost fell down but this filly ran a nice race. “
An 11-1 long shot, Knee High Country paid $25.40 to win, $17.40 to place and $15.60 to show. Solid Cowboy paid $10 to place and $15.80 to show. Royal Quick Treasure was along for third and paid $5 to show.
The derby win was the third from 15 career starts for Knee High Country and her first win at Remington Park from eight attempts. An Oklahoma-bred filly by Country Quick Dash from the Spring Lark mare Velveteena, Knee High Country earned $19,328 for the score, moving her career total to $63,159.
Trainer Kevin Willis and jockey Larry Payne teamed up for a trio of wins on Saturday night. The duo took TS Thunderbolt ($4.60 to win), Great Southern Money ($9.40) and Southern Is Money ($9.20) to the winner’s circle in the first, sixth and seventh races.
The triple gives Willis eight wins on the season while Payne moves up to 26 scores for the meeting.
The Pick Six numbers on Saturday night were 6-6-6-4-5-9. Tickets with five of six correct received consolation payoffs of $86.20. The Pick Six Carryover to Sunday night at Remington Park is $9,038.
Sunday night racing features an 11-race program with trials conducted for a pair of American Quarter Horse Association Challenge stakes races included. Post time is 6:25 p.m.
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