RELENTLESSLY REGAINS REMINGTON PARK FORM TO WIN $50,000 EASTEX STAKES

Relentlessly had lost his form in the fall and winter of 2021, losing his last three races of the year. All it took was a return to Remington Park, the track he loves, to get him back in the winner’s circle, scoring the Grade 2, $50,000 Eastex Stakes on Saturday night.

Relentlessly had raced four times since leaving Remington Park, a big winner in the $361,000 Heritage Place Derby last year, the top race for 3-year-olds annually here. Only once did he win away from this track, in an open allowance race at FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing’s Fairmount Park in St. Louis on July 3. After that he had gone 0-for-3 at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, back to FanDuel, and then in his last start of the year in December at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Relentlessly looked just like the horse that won the Heritage Place Derby last year when he broke from the gate like lightning to grab a one-length lead almost immediately. Sent off as the 8-5 wagering favorite, he finished a half-length ahead of runner-up Apollitical Redflash (6-1), who was another neck up on third-place Juice is Loose (10-1). The winner returned $5.40 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show.

The remaining order of finish in the Eastex was JK Wildcat Red (4th), El Camino CL (5th), Jess Rocket Man (6th), Wieburg (7th), Watch Him B Famous (8th), Jesslightninglegs (9th), Dashin Approach (10th) and De Laurentis (11th).

Relentlessly, owned by Aguila Negra Racing (Jose Huerta) of Fairview Heights, Ill., is also trained by Huerta. He was bred in Texas by Randy and Sandy Coleman. Raul Valenzuela, his regular rider, was once again in the saddle. The 4-year-old horse by Hes Relentless, out of the Carters Cartel mare Runaway Renata, earned $29,622 for the victory, improving his record to 13 starts, seven wins, three seconds and one third for career earnings of $310,508.

Relentlessly now boasts a record at Remington Park of five wins from eight starts and two seconds for $271,863. He has made only $38,645 away from Oklahoma City.

It was the first win in the Eastex for all the connections of the horse. The Eastex is named after the winner of the 1984 All American Futurity who at one time was the sport’s all-time leading money earner. He held the record for most money earned by a 2-year-old until 2008. Eastex retired in his home state, living out his years in Norman, Okla. He often led the post parade of the race named in his honor before passing away at age 32, in 2013.

Tracked by more than 168,000 fans on Facebook and 10,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $286 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 will feature the richest futurity for state-breds, the $925,000 (estimated) Remington Park Futurity on April 16. Simulcast horse is racing featured daily at Remington Park where the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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