STORMS LIVEWIRE PULLS OFF UPSET IN PAUL HARBER MEMORIAL STAKES AT REMINGTON PARK
Storms Livewire ran like wildfire Saturday night from a barn that has been white hot the past two weeks, winning the Grade 2, $25,000 Paul Harber Stakes for Paints and Appaloosas.
Trainer Michelle Hurdle has had them rocking and rolling from her barn as she won two-of-five starts last week and ran in the money (first, second or third) with four of the five. She has continued her streak, with stakes company Saturday, winning with her 10-1 longshot Storms Livewire with jockey Javier Hernandez-Gallardo up.
It was a longshot exacta as Chief Iron Eagle (14-1) checked in second, a half-length behind. That $2 exacta was worth $320.40 to the lucky bettors who had it. An Appaloosa, Queen for Cash (8-1) rounded out the trifecta, a nose back of Chief Iron Eagle.
The betting favorite at even money, R Cowgirl (Appaloosa), broke poorly from the gate and could do no better than fourth, breaking her winning streak at Remington Park. Prior to this stakes race, R Cowgirl had won all five of her starts in Oklahoma City and was one-for-one in her only career attempt at 300 yards.
Storms Livewire, a 4-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelded Paint by CRM Livewire, out of the Seattle Fitz (TB-ARG) mare Storm’s Promise (TB), returned $23.40 to win to his backers, $12 to place and $6.80 to show. He stopped the timer at 300-yards over a fast track in :15.539 for a speed-index of 89. CRM Livewire is one of the most dominant sires in the Paint and Appaloosa game the past couple of years.
Rounding out the finish past R Cowgirl were WL Karma (26-1) fifth, Ima Chili (14-1) sixth, Wire Tap (8-5) seventh and Sullys Country Wagon (30-1) eighth.
It was the first victory in this stakes series for all involved – Hernandez-Gallardo, Hurdle and owner Edith Gutierrez-Velasco of Sallisaw, Okla.
Storms Livewire was bred by Darling Farms. He earned $14,775 from the purse and improved his lifetime record to 17 starts, four wins, four seconds and two thirds for a bankroll of $74,890.
The Paul Harber Memorial is named after a founding member of the American Paint Horse Association. Harber, a native of Seminole, Okla., helped guide the organization for over four decades until his passing in 2009.
Remington Park racing continues Sunday, March 23 with a card that begins at 4pm-Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $376 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 American Quarter Horse Season, features the $800,000 (estimated) Remington Park Futurity on Saturday, April 19. 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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