COUNTRY CAPER PULLS OFF MINOR UPSET IN BEATING TWO-TIME DEFENDING CHAMPION EAKLY IN OKLAHOMA CITY TURF CLASSIC

Eakly had won the $99,600 Oklahoma City Turf Classic Handicap the last two years in a row at Remington Park and was easily the public’s favorite at even money to accomplish his third-straight win in the race.

Country Caper, at 5-1 odds, was having none of it. The 5-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelded son of Excaper, from the Oratory mare Team One, collared Eakly in the late stretch of the 1-1/16 miles race over firm turf, and won by a half-length. Nonetheless, it was a battle royale as several horses had a chance at the win in a closing rush like a tsunami. Among those going for the blue ribbon were Tap the Dot (9-2) and Excaping the Blues (9-2). Eakly was a half-length ahead of third place finisher Tap the Dot, who was another head in front of Excaping the Blues. It was a blanket finish indeed as Excaping the Blues only beat fifth-place runner Sonic Posse (8-1) by a neck.

Country Caper, owned by Lori Bravo of Sulphur, Okla., and trained by her husband Francisco Bravo was ridden to victory by Floyd Wethey, Jr. Wethey had a riding triple on the Friday night Oklahoma Classics card after this win.

“I just want to say it is a blessing from God to ride for people like Lori and Francisco,” said Wethey. “It was a close finish but when the rail opened up for me, we got ‘em.”

Country Caper squeezed through down on the rail in the final furlong to win the race in a time of 1:42.25.

The entire field chased fractions of front-running 50-1 longshot Gospel Mark, who took a three-length lead right out of the gate. That lead was stretched to five lengths through the first half-mile as he tried to steal the race on the front end under leading rider Ramon Vazquez. That was a dream not to be realized, however, as he would finish dead last. When the closers came up to him at mid-stretch, Gospel Mark was looking for a place to lie down while the rest of them were looking for glory.

The times for the early part of the race were :23.43 for the first quarter-mile, :47.61 for the half-mile, 1:11.64 for three-quarters of a mile and 1:36.04 at one mile

“I was very optimistic because there was a lot of speed in the race and I knew we had a good closer,” said Francisco Bravo.

After the top five, the rest of the order of finish were Good Swimmer (9-1) sixth, Magna Tap (47-1) seventh and Gospel Mark last.

Country Caper was bred in Oklahoma by Lori Bravo and Lynn Chleborad.
“The fact that he is a home-bred makes this win extra special,” said Francisco Bravo. “We’ll finish up with him here (at Remington Park). It won’t necessarily be on the turf.”

Country Caper earned $59,760 for the win and improved to 19 starts, four wins, one second and five thirds for a bankroll of $157,394. The winner gave Bravo his second Oklahoma Classics score of the evening as he also saddled Cyndi Loper to victory in the Lassie, presented by Senor Buscador.

Remington Park racing continues Saturday, Oct. 17 with first post time of 6 p.m.-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 Springboard Mile, a 2026 Kentucky Derby qualifying points race, takes place Saturday, Dec. 20, the final night of the Thoroughbred Season. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

-30-