DANJER DOMINATES AGAIN IN REMINGTON PARK’S TOP RACE FOR OLDER HORSES

Danjer racked up another Grade 1 win on Saturday night and became just the second horse to ever win three consecutive Debbie Schauf Remington Park Championships.

The ultra-talented 7-year-old gelding joins Tailor Fit, as the only horses to win the Championship three straight years. Tailor Fit turned his hat trick in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Danjer not only won the race for a third consecutive year, he crushed his rivals with ease, winning by two lengths

Jockey Francisco Calderon was aboard Danjer. The 2021 World Champion left the starting gate from his outside post-position (nine) and cruised to the lead and victory under a hand ride. Danjer accomplished the feat, while evidently not having all of his horseshoes on his feet.

“He lost a shoe halfway through the race, I saw it fly up,” noted Calderon. “I still never had to ask him. He just kept on. He’s an incredible horse.”

Danjer handle the classic 440-yard distance over the fast track in :21.257, earning a speed index of 108.

Nothin Like You (12-1 odds) used a sharp start to force contention but was no match once Danjer found his top stride, settling for second. A Tres of Eagle (11-1) was along for third, another neck behind the runner-up.

The heavy wagering favorite at 1-5 odds, Danjer paid $2.40 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. The son of FDD Dynasty from the Take Off Jess mare Shez Jess Toxic was bred in Oklahoma by trainer and part owner Dean Frey. He owns Danjer in partnership with Downtime Enterprises LLC (Patrick Guthrie) and Billy Smith of Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Danjer has now won 22 of his 35 career starts, with seven seconds and three more thirds. He picked up $164,034 for winning his third Schauf Remington Park Championship to run his lifetime earnings to $2,499,432. At Remington Park, Danjer has won five of nine starts and his local bankroll now stands at $611,820. In May, Danjer won the Grade 1 Leo Stakes for his other win this year.

Danjer is third on the all-time American Quarter Horse Association lifetime earnings list behind Ochoa ($2,779,265) and KJ Desperado ($2,772,603). The two runners ahead of Danjer each won the All American Futurity, Quarter Horse racing richest race, giving them a huge head start on a veteran horse who has made his money through a long series of races, not worth millions.

The remaining order of finish for the Schauf Remington Park Championship, which is an invitational event, was: Apollitical Redflash (4th), Delight Us All (5th), Apollitical Gold (6th), Head Patron (7th) Flash Bak (8th), Stone Cold Leader (9th).

The top older horse event at Remington Park is named in honor of Debbie Schauf, the longtime executive director of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association, who passed away unexpectedly in August 2019.

Tracked by more than 175,000 fans on Facebook and 10,700 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $320 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 will begin the 2023 Thoroughbred Season on Aug. 18. Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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