JOCKEY RAMON VAZQUEZ, TRAINER ROBERTINO DIODORO COMBINE TALENTS TO WIN THREE TOGETHER AT REMINGTON PARK

Jockey Ramon Vazquez and trainer Robertino Diodoro held all the cards Thursday night at Remington Park, combining for three wins together, including the featured allowance race with Saline River.

The victory aboard his third winner of the night, Saline River, was the most creative ride and showed why Vazquez has returned to the form that saw him win five riding titles (2013-2017) at Remington Park.

Vazquez and Diodoro got their first two wins of the night in the third and sixth races with Immelman ($5.40 to win) and Truly Unbelievable ($4.20). The latter of those two was Vazquez’s easiest ride of the evening as the 2-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Vekoma, out of the Smart Strike mare Saratoga Summer, won by daylight in his career debut. The margin of victory was 8-3/4 lengths for the even-money favorite.

While that horse was impressive, it was Saline River that won the trophy in the featured $44,000 open allowance race for 3-year-olds and up going 7-1/2 furlongs on the turf. Vazquez moved his 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding to the rail and showed the ultimate patience after being boxed in down the backstretch. The lane on the inside, the shortest way around the turf track was Vazquez’s desire and he would wait and wait. As he turned for home on Saline River, a small opening appeared and neither Vazquez nor Saline River showed any fear. As Vazquez moved up the rail, it appeared that hole my close on him and push him back, but he was determined to get Saline River through. He did just that as the horse found a burst of energy to win by 2-1/2 lengths as the 3-5 betting favorite. Saline River paid $3.40 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show.

Brucelea (25-1) was up for second and he was another neck in front of third-place finisher Shouldaboughtdabar (36-1), the two longest shots in the field. That 50-cent trifecta was worth $166.55.

Saline River earned $26,264 from the allowance purse for owner Charles Garvey of Nisku, Alberta, Canada. Saline River improved lifetime to 21 starts, eight wins, four seconds and two thirds for a bankroll of $207,756.

Running time for the about 7-1/2 furlongs over firm turf was 1:30.99, and was hand-timed.

The Vazquez triple opened his lead in the jockey standings with 27 wins. Stewart Elliott, the two-time defending leading jockey at Remington Park is in second with 23 wins.

Cabrera Reaches 600 at Remington Park
Jockey David Cabrera, third in the standings with 19 wins, reached his 600th Remington Park victory with his initial triumph on the night. Bang Fury ($6.40) provided the mount for the small local milestone.

Owned by Norma Lee Stockseth and Todd Dunn of Corpus Christi, Texas and trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Bang Fury is a 4-year-old filly by Violence from the More Than Ready mare Ready Reply. She was bred in Virginia by Chance Farm.

Live racing continues Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 & 20, with the first race nightly 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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