EXCAPING THE BLUES RALLIES TO WIN SECOND CONSECUTIVE RED EARTH HANDICAP AT REMINGTON PARK

For Immediate Release
Friday, September 11, 2026

A dozen talented Oklahoma-bred veterans stormed the Remington Park turf course for the $50,000 Red Earth Handicap in the Friday finale. Nearly every runner was a contender coming off the final turn but it was Excaping the Blues finding enough run late to pull away for victory.

Owned by the Estate of Michael Grossman of Fredericksburg, Texas, Excaping the Blues won the 7-1/2 furlong Red Earth Handicap for a second consecutive year for trainer Franciso Bravo. Jockey Fernando Jara was aboard, getting the 6-year-old gelding into position for his best run in the stretch.

Approaching the final turn, Jara pulled Excaping the Blues back out of a six-way battle for the front, getting him off the rail. This tactic proved to be a winner as Jara moved Excaping the Blues from behind a wall of four rivals, going to the outside with his gray winner leaving the turn. Once into a clear path, Excaping the Blues was asked to accelerate and he responded with a decisive kick to win by 1-1/2 lengths in a time of 1:29.21 over the firm going. Country Caper (2-1 wagering favorite), also trained by Bravo, followed the winner with his rally for second.

Big Muckity led after a quarter-mile in :23.49 and then a half-mile in :46.97. Good Swimmer had the edge at six furlongs in 1:10.82 before Excaping the Blues rolled by to score.

Away at 9-1 odds, Excaping the Blues paid $20.40 to win, $9 to place and $4.60 to show. The gray son of Excaper, from the Purim mare Pure Blue Sky, was bred by Eureka Thoroughbred Farm. Winning the Red Earth Handicap for a second straight year was worth $30,000, pushing Excaping the Blues to an overall bankroll of $225,978. He has now won eight times from 35 career attempts with four seconds and three third-place efforts.

The remaining order of finish was C W Prize (18-1) third, Winters Lion (41-1) fourth, Red Mountain (11-1) fifth, Good Swimmer (6-1) sixth, Classy Empire (9-2) seventh, Tap the Dot (11-1) eighth, Number One Dude (6-1) ninth, Big Muckity (16-1) tenth, Sonic Posse (12-1) 11th and Stoney Brick Road (42-1) 12th.

Stoney Brick Road finished third originally but was disqualified by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission Stewards to last for interference into the first turn on Sonic Posse, causing him to clip heels, stumble and nearly fall.

Remington Park racing continues Saturday, Sept. 12 with 10 races underway at 6:30pm-Central.

Remington Park has provided more than $426 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. The 2026 Oklahoma Derby is set for Sunday, Sept. 27 at Remington Park. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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