VAZQUEZ and DIODORO DOMINATE REMINGTON PARK ACTION EARNING LIP CHIP HONORS

The statistics that Remington Park leading rider Ramon Vazquez put together are the kind that most jockeys would be thrilled to have over the course of a race meet.

Vazquez won 10-of-16 mounts last week for an incredible 63% winning ratio, eight of those trips to the winner’s circle were made with trainer Roberto Diodoro horses and for all those reasons the pair were voted Lip Chip Jockey and Trainer of the Week.

Vazquez rounded out the three-day race week with five winners on Saturday night from only seven mounts. That vaulted him into a daylight lead as the leading rider here.

Believe it or not, Diodoro’s statistics for the week may be even more impressive. He sent out 10 starters at Remington Park and eight of them were in front at the wire for an 80% win rate. H

The top win of the week for the duo had to be Friday night’s open allowance victory by Heroic Move, defeating U.S. Army by 6-3/4 lengths in a $44,000 race for 3-year-olds and older, going 1-1/16 miles on a fast main track, Sept. 19. U.S. Army was coming in off a 3-1/4 length win at one mile on the dirt in his fall debut at Remington Park on Aug. 23.

Vazquez settled in three wide down the backstretch of the Sept. 19 open allowance, and he began his rally four wide on the far turn. The jock powered this 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Quality Road, out of the Smart Strike mare Family Tree, to the lead in mid-stretch and drew away the easy winner as the 1-2 odds-on favorite. He finished the route in a time of 1:43.30. U.S. Army was sent off as the 9-5 second choice but didn’t have it this night.

The huge Saturday night for Vazquez gave him an eight-win lead over the winner of the jockey’s trophy the past two years at Remington Park, Stewart Elliott. Vazquez has 34 wins while Elliott has 26 wins.

This is the first full season for Vazquez back at Remington Park since 2021. He piled up five consecutive leading jockey titles here from 2013-2017.

Remington Park features a special four-date week of racing action tonight through Sunday, Sept. 25-28. The first race nightly is at 6pm, except on Sunday which is Oklahoma Derby Day. The first race on derby day Sunday is 3pm. All times are Central.

Remington Park has provided more than $390 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. The 2025 Oklahoma Derby takes place Sunday, Sept. 28. The Thoroughbred Season continues through Dec. 20. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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