FORMER TOP JOCKEY AT REMINGTON PARK, JUAN PULIDO, SCORES RIDING TRIPLE TO MOVE CLOSER TO TOP OF STANDINGS

Former top rider at Remington Park, Juan Pulido, recorded a riding triple on Saturday night to move closer to the top 10 in this meet’s standings.

Pulido has been playing catchup since missing the early part of the meet due to a suspension. His three trips to the winner’s circle from his 10 mounts on Saturday gave him eight wins for the season and moved him from 15th in the standings to 13th overall.

Pulido was leading rider at Remington Park in 2021 with 46 wins for the meet. He finished third here in 2022 with 30 wins, behind Francisco Calderon’s 39, and was fifth last year with 25 trips to the winner’s circle, well behind Edwin Escobedo’s 43 wins.

The first victory of the night on Saturday came in the first race as Pulido booted home Nota Pocahontas in a maiden race for Paints and Appaloosas. He rode that one for trainer Diego Arroyo and owner Juan Villa of Amarillo, Texas. Nota Pocahontas, a 3-year-old Paint filly by the most prolific sire in this breed, CRM Livewire, finished a full length ahead of the runner-up. The heavy 4-5 betting favorite, Southern Swagger, could do no better than seventh in the field of 10 mixed runners. Nota Pocahontas covered the 300 yards in a time of :15.506 on the fast track for an 89 speed-index. Nota Pocahontas was sent off at 7-2 odds and paid $9.60 to win, $5.20 to place and $3 to show. The winner was bred in Oklahoma by Jon and Brant Barley.

Pulido’s next win came in the fifth race, a $7,500 claiming race for non-winners of two lifetime, 3-year-olds and older, American Quarter Horses. That was aboard RC Jones 11 for trainer Rodrigo Covarrubias and owner Vaqueros Racing of Wichita, KS. It was another easy win for Pulido, who beat the rest of the field at 350 yards by 1-3/4 lengths. RC Jones 11, a 3-year-old filly by Jess Jones, out of the Cold Granite Stone mare Phlirty, covered the distance in :17.996 for a speed-index of 80. She paid $11.20 to win, $4.80 to place and $3.40 to show. The winner was bred in Oklahoma by Covarrubias.

The final victory for Pulido for the evening came in the seventh race when he brought home KR November Rain for the win against 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred maidens. That was Pulido’s toughest victory of the night as he edged the second-place horse by a head. The second-time starter out of trainer Toby Keeton’s barn, a gray daughter of Ivory James, from the High Rate of Return mare Saratoga Return, scored after running third, beaten only a half-length in her career debut. She was made the 3-1 third favorite in the race and paid $8.40 to win, $4.80 to place and $3.40 to show. Her winning time for 300 yards was :15.709 for an 83 speed-index. KR November Rain is owned by Efrain Mendez of Forney, Texas. She was bred in Oklahoma by the owner.

Remington Park racing continues Sunday with the annual fan-favorite promotion of Extreme Racing that includes, Clydesdales, zebras, ostriches, camels, pigs and new this year, turtle racing. These races will be sandwiched before and between the regular Sunday horse races that begin at 4pm. The first Extreme Race is at 3pm, on the plaza, near the winner’s circle.

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 Futurity for Oklahoma-breds is featured on April 27. The 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1. starts its 50-date season. 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.

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