NEW STALL IMPLEMENTATION UNDER WAY AT REMINGTON PARK
Upgrades continue to take place at Remington Park, just weeks prior to the beginning of the 2021 Thoroughbred Season. Renovations are under way to completely replace the 1,464 stalls in the track’s stable area.
Eventually replacing the wooden stalls that have housed athletes competing at Remington Park since 1988 are new composite stalls. The project’s starting phase took place immediately after the end of the American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season in late May. Work continued into late July when horses were admitted to the barn area for the Thoroughbred season. The first barns, C1 and C2, have been completed with new stalls. The process will continue with 18 more barns set for renovation as time permits between future seasons.
A lot of work has already been performed on the project, with much of it in a testing procedure. Both track management and horsemen wanted to be certain the new stalls were durable and tough enough for what a 1,000 pound-plus horse could put them through.
“The new stalls are a Priefert product from the regional farm and ranch supplier of everything from fencing to barns,” said Matt Vance, Remington Park’s executive vice president of racing. “We literally took sledge hammers to the material in a diligence campaign and were amazed at the durability and strength of the stalls. I’m confident they will outlast our generation.”
The stalls at Remington Park that are set for replacement served their purpose. However, they had been worked over by thousands of horses during parts of five decades, lasting through 77 different racing seasons. Improvements were finally needed.
“The original Remington Park stalls were built of tongue and groove wood,” Vance noted. “Thanks to plenty of tender loving care, and repair and maintenance, they lasted an incredible 33 years.
“It took many people working together to get this massive renovation project in motion,” Vance said. “I’d like to give Ken Stonecipher, Global Gaming Solutions vice president of development, recognition for spearheading the effort to complete this project along with Skip Seeley, chief executive officer of GGS. The entire GGS Board continues to dedicate resources that benefit the Remington Park backstretch community while working with our state’s horsemen’s groups. Both Krissy Bamberg of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association and Danielle Barber of the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, have been instrumental in this effort.”
Thoroughbred racing begins on Friday, Aug. 20 at Remington Park. Until then other projects are in their final stages to provide a better experience for horses and horsemen. Work is wrapping up in the paddock walking ring, the horse tunnel that connects the paddock to the racing surface and the winner’s circle.
Tracked by more than 167,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $266 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 features live and simulcast horse racing, and the casino is always open! The 2021 Thoroughbred Season begins Aug. 20. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
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