JOCKEY HARRY HERNANDEZ RECORDS RIDING TRIPLE; APPRENTICE RIDER COLE MECHE GETS FIRST REMINGTON PARK WIN
Harry Hernandez recorded his third win of the night Saturday, Oct. 5 at Remington Park aboard R Doc, a horse that has worn a path from one barn to another all while winning three races in a row at Remington Park.
Hernandez and R Doc, the 6-5 wagering favorite, figured to be on the lead early, but the two of them missed the break and spotted their five foes a few strides before getting into stride. R Doc moved past rivals on the backstretch, making the lead as the field moved to the second turn. R Doc, a 5-year-old gelding by Gio Ponti, out of the Street Sense mare Pedestrian, had a six-length lead moving past the quarter-pole. He finished 3-3/4 lengths in front of United Patriot (4-1) in second. R Doc covered the one mile on the fast main track in 1:39.03.
R Doc paid $4.40 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show.
Hernandez won the first race in R Doc’s winning skein for Durham and owner Vinney Pigue of Ooltewah, Tenn., at Remington Park on Aug. 30 by 8-1/2 lengths, going 1-1/16th miles. Leading trainer Steve Asmussen claimed the horse that night for $5,000 and his crew led R Doc to his new barn. Asmussen then ran him back Sept. 21 and he won by 2-1/4 lengths at one mile. Durham claimed him back that night for Pigue for $5,000. She ran him Saturday night, again for $5,000, and surprise, surprise, he was claimed again, this time by trainer Jory Ferrell who will lead him to his third barn this meet.
Hernandez also won a pair earlier on the card for trainer Ronnie Cravens, taking the first race in the saddle of 8-1 longshot Wilburnsclassylady ($18.80), going about 7-1/2 furlongs on the turf. That win came for owners Angela Mancino and Nancy Oliver of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas.
Hernandez was in the irons in the fourth race when Queen of Salsa ($6.20) won that maiden race by 5-1/4 lengths as the 2-1 favorite in the race over the firm turf, also at about 7-1/2 furlongs. That trip to the winner’s circle came for owner Keene Thoroughbreds (Danny Keene) Greenville, Texas.
Hernandez’s three wins Saturday, put him into a tie fourth in the jockeys’ standings with Jose Alvarez, who also had a victory. Now they both have 20 for the meet, behind Stewart Elliott’s 49 and the two second-place riders, Floyd Wethey, Jr., and David Cabrera. They each have 23 wins.
Apprentice Meche Scores First in OKC
Apprentice jockey Cole Meche got his first ever win at Remington Park on Saturday night when he scored aboard Adios Muchachos ($12.20) in the fifth race for this track’s all-time winningest owner Danny Caldwell of Poteau, Okla., and trainer Ingrid Mason. It was Meche’s third win lifetime in 48 starts. Meche scored with his only mount of the night.
Cole is not related to former riding twins from Louisiana, Donnie and Lonnie Meche, but he said they both rode for his dad, trainer David Meche. Cole is from Breaux Bridge, La., and moved to West Palm Beach, Fla., almost 10 years ago.
Cole broke sharply with Adios Muchachos out of the gate, but then got him to settle back in second after the first quarter-mile behind front-runner Good Liquor. The pair hooked up in the turn and battled before Adios Muchachos took over in mid-stretch and drew away to the victory by 2-3/4 lengths.
Meche said, thankfully, the other jocks didn’t do unspeakable things to him when he got back to the room as is sometime the practice on a first win, shaved heads, shaving cream spread on them or eggs cracked over heads. Since it was officially only his first at Remington, not overall, rituals were notwithstanding.
Remington Park racing resumes Wednesday through Saturday, Oct. 9-12, with the first race nightly at 6:30pm-Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $363 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 2024 Thoroughbred Season continues through Dec. 13. The Oklahoma Classics Night of stakes racing for top Oklahoma-breds takes place on Friday, Oct. 18. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.