REMINGTON PARK BARN AREA OPENS FOR HORSEMEN, HORSES ARRIVE NEXT WEEK

The Remington Park barn area is starting to buzz in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 Thoroughbred race meeting that runs from Friday, Aug. 16 through Friday, Dec. 13.

Trainers and horsemen are already on the backside, prepping stalls as they will be allowed to bring horses on the grounds for the first time on Monday, July 15. One significant change has been made for the upcoming meet. The regular first post time moves from 7:07 Central time to 6:30 p.m. this year.

Last year, trainer Mark Lee was the first to bring his thoroughbred trainees through the gates, breaking a three-year streak of trainer Boyd “Jobe” Caster being the early bird. Lee brought in six horses that morning, coming through the gate first at around 8 a.m.

Lee is a longtime mainstay at Remington Park. He was a winner in the 2023 season when Hopgun had one of the most exciting finishes of the meet in an overnight race. The now-5-year-old gelding was racing against Oklahoma-bred allowance non-winners of two career races on Sept. 22 here last year when he dead-heated with Laridae at 6-1/2 furlongs over the main track. Jockey Iram Diego was given a leg up that night by Lee. Laridae was trained by Mindy Willis and ridden by Lindey Wade. Both of those riders are expected back for this fall’s meeting.

In 2022, Lee came home a winner with Gypsy Rose and Prince Carolina J at Remington Park. Both of those horses are still in training. In fact, Gypsy Rose, ran an excellent race to finish second in her most recent start at Fair Meadow at Tulsa on June 26 in allowance company. Gypsy Rose, a 4-year-old filly, is owned by Dusty Rose Ranch and was ridden to the runner-up finish by Belen Quinonez. Prince Carolina J has also competed in Tulsa this summer.

One of Lee’s top runners at Remington in his history here was Dusty Spike, who participated in the Oklahoma Derby in 2005. That horse ran fourth to Zee Oh Six in the Governor’s Cup Stakes that meet.

The first day horses can go to the racetrack to exercise and for official workouts is set for Tuesday, July 16. Regular training hours are 6-10am. All times are Central.

Remington Park has provided more than $354 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 will begin on August 16. 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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