BOBCAT BITE, NAMED AFTER A NEAR DEATH ATTACK, FINDS SUCCESS AT REMINGTON PARK WITH FIRST CAREER VICTORY
Trainer Pat Swan remembers it like it was yesterday when one of young foals was attacked by a bobcat at his ranch in Jones, Okla. The young colt suffered severe cuts and lost a massive amount of hide and tissue off his neck and withers.
That was three years ago. Now a gelding, Bobcat Bite hasn’t turned out to be a star racehorse, winning a $7,500 maiden-claiming race for Oklahoma-breds at Remington Park on Friday night. Swan, his owner and trainer, believed Bobcat Bite’s heart to survive would eventually come out on the racetrack. The 3-year-old Oklahoma-bred by Kwontro, out of the Ice Box mare Facets of Ice succeeded in his 10th career start.
“It was his mother’s first baby and he was 30 days early,” Swan said. “It’s amazing he didn’t die. That bobcat tore him up around his neck and withers. He just walked away from his mother. She wouldn’t have anything to do with him. But, you know something, I had another mare out on the ranch, Oh My Goodness, and when I came out to find the colt torn up, she was protecting him from any more attacks and had run off the bobcat.”
When all was said and done and after thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, the hair began to grow back over Bobcat Bite’s wounds. “I looked at him and said, ‘he might take a saddle yet,” said Swan, who has been on his Silver Oaks Ranch in Jones for decades and had never seen anything like this.
“Out there 20 years and never seen a bobcat,” Swan said. “We’ve seen deer and coyotes, but no bobcats. Since this, we’ve put out trail cameras and seen a couple more.”
It not only was Bobcat Bite’s first win but also jockey Isaiah Wiseman’s first trip to the winner’s circle this meet.
“He finished up strong (winning by 2-3/4 lengths in a 5-1/2 furlong event on the main track),” said Swan. “I had a good feeling about tonight. I needed a win and I knew he was ready.”
Despite going off at 4-5 odds as the betting favorite, no one claimed the gelding for $7,500 and no one is happier about that than Swan.
“I love this horse so much,” he said. “I know he’s a cheaper horse, but he has so much heart. He was abandoned by his mother, attacked after a half-hour on this earth and half of his skin was gone. I’m so glad no one claimed him. He may not be a stakes horse but he’s a winner now. Isaiah rode him great.”
Bobcat Bite’s winning time was 1:06.31. He broke well from the gate in second and had the lead shortly after that, setting fractions of :22.52 for the first quarter, :47.02 for the half-mile, and :59.56 for five-eighths of a mile.
Magical Max (6-1) checked in second, 2-1/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher Appeals Last Ride.
Bobcat Bite paid $3.60 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. He was bred by Julie Lynn Green.
Remington Park racing continues Saturday, Sept. 20 with the first race at 6pm-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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