DARK AFTERNOON WINS TURF STAKES RACE FOR THIRD YEAR IN ROW AT REMINGTON PARK
Dark Afternoon doesn’t care who rides him as he won the $50,000 Cliff Berry Turf Sprint Handicap on Friday night. The 5-year-old gelding won this race, formerly known as the Remington Park Turf Sprint, with the third different jockey for the third consecutive year.
The five -furlong turf sprint for Oklahoma-breds, had this son of Black Bear, out of the Came Home mare Afternoon Liaison, scoring under the smart ride of Iram Diego. Last year, Dark Afternoon won with David Cabrera and in 2023, the gelding was guided to the winner’s circle by Jermaine Bridgmohan.
This race was re-named this year to pay tribute to Remington Park’s all-time leading jockey, who finished his career in 2015 with 2,125 wins. Coincidentally, he rode Black Bear, Dark Afternoon’s sire, to three victories early in his career.
Alex Hartman has done wonders training Dark Afternoon this year, winning two in a row at Remington Park this meeting. The two previous years, the gelding won with conditioner Austin Gustafson. The only common denominator in Dark Afternoon’s career has been owner Black Hawk Stable (James Rogers of Elk City, Okla.) and breeder. Rogers owns the stallion, Black Bear, who ran out more than $375,000 in his career. Dark Afternoon reminds him of the gelding’s dad.
“He is a super nice horse as was Black Bear,” Rogers said after the win. “Three years in a row. He loves this track.”
Hartman said this turf monster has been nominated for the $250,000 Great West Turf Sprint at five furlongs on Sept. 28 at Remington Park.
Diego set Dark Afternoon down in fifth place off the pace of the early speed horses in this five-furlongs sprint greensward. Eakly took the lead in the stretch, and it appeared he might cruise to victory, but Dark Afternoon showed the grit that always seems to propel him past would-be winners here at Remington Park. It was the winner’s fifth win in eight starts in Oklahoma City.
Dark Afternoon, as the 1-2 wagering favorite, was a winner by a full length over Eakly, the second favorite at 9-5. Connors Outlaw (17-1) checked in third. The three-time winner in this grass sprint paid $3 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Running time for the five furlongs was :55.49, just .40 off the course record. Of his three trips to the winner’s circle in this race, this was Dark Afternoon’s fastest time. Both of his previous wins came in more than 56 seconds.
Dark Afternoon earned $30,000 from the $50,000 purse and improved his career record to 21 starts, eight wins, two seconds and two thirds for $246,310 earned.
The rest of the order of finish was Mister Wayside (26-1) fourth, Missin Hollywood (27-1) fifth, Legacy Account (99-1) sixth and Papa Bill (9-1) seventh.
Remington Park racing continues Saturday, Sept. 13 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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