FAVORITE NOVA OVERCOMES TERRIBLE START TO WIN FRIDAY REMINGTON PARK FEATURE
When the gates popped for the featured allowance race Friday night at Remington Park, it appeared Favorite Nova’s hopes were shattered as he broke toward the back of the pack.
Jockey Justine Klaiber did not give up. She stayed with Favorite Nova, got him turned straight and he began a rally that saw him pass virtually the entire field at only 250 yards to get up for the win by a head as the 3-1 lukewarm favorite.
Double Dip (5-1) got the jump on everyone in the race and seemed to be on the way to victory until the blur that was Favorite Nova come up on his outside to just nip him at the wire.
It was the second win in as many tries for Favorite Nova at the distance, while Double Dip was going for his third win in five attempts at 250 yards. Five Bar Fantasy (10-1) checked in third, another neck back of the runner-up.
Favorite Nova, a 3-year-old gelded son of Favorite Cartel, out of the First Down Dash mare Remember to Dash, won $13,530 from the $26,150 purse and improved his lifetime running line to nine starts, four wins, one second and one third for a total bankroll of $45,233. He was a $92,000 purchase for owner Regina Laymon of Neosho Falls, Kan., at the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.
Favorite Nova paid $8.20 to win, $5 to place and $3.20 to show across the board. Running time for the winner was :13.234 on the fast track for a speed-index of 94.
Klaiber almost got this horse home for the win in his previous race, a conditioned allowance at Remington Park, but finished second to AJK Forgiven by three-quarters of a length. AJK Forgiven came right back and won again the next out.
Klaiber rode this horse to Friday’s win for 12-time top trainer at Remington Park, Eddie Willis. Favorite Nova’s record at Remington Park is four starts, two wins, and one second for $30,660 earned in Oklahoma City.
Remington Park racing continues Saturday with a special first post time of Noon as a part of a special day of activities on Kentucky Derby Day. The simulcast of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs will be featured at the conclusion of the Remington Park action, featuring the Grade 2 Pauls Valley Stakes and the Grade 1 Leo Stakes.
Remington Park has provided more than $347 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 simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The Remington Park 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1 with the biggest racing program of the season. The Champions Night boasts total purses in excess of $2,000,000, led by the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
-30-