U S NAVY CROSS SKIMS RAIL FOR GROUND-SAVING VICTORY AT REMINGTON PARK FOR LEADING TRAINER KARL BROBERG

While his competitors fought for the lead in front of him, U S Navy Cross broke from the outside post-position nine. Jockey Orlando Mojica immediately dropped the 6-year-old horse to the rail in dead last and patiently waited in the featured allowance on Thursday night at Remington Park.

The move proved to be a winning one as the rest of the nine-horse field all came back to U S Navy Cross in the stretch and the son of Curlin (Smart Strike), out of the Honor Grades mare Honor Bestowed, won the 1 mile-70 yard event.

U S Navy Cross was 8-1/2 lengths behind at first call of the race, but had gained a one-length lead by the time he hit the top of the lane. Eastside Cool (4-5 wagering favorite) got caught up in a four-way speed duel in the first quarter-mile while the winner bided his time. The favorite out of Steve Asmussen’s barn had enough left to hold on for second, four lengths back of U S Navy Cross at the wire. Another pacesetter, Chrome Baby (10-1) held on for third, 2-3/4 lengths back of the runner-up.

U S Navy Cross was able to fly past the front-runners who were setting a killer pace in the interior fractions. They covered the first quarter-mile in :23.52, followed by a half-mile of :46.95 and a 1:12.03 for three-quarters of a mile. U S Navy Cross hit the mile marker in a time of 1:38.95 and had, by then, taken over to win impressively. The final time for the race was 1:43.26 over the fast track.

The victory came in his first trip over a main racing surface in his last five starts, after running four times in a row on turf. The most recent effort by U S Navy Cross was a fourth-place finish in the $100,000 Remington Green Stakes on Sept. 25.

Leading trainer Karl Broberg continued his dominance at the top of the trainer standings, winning for the 42nd time this meet. He leads second-place Asmussen, who has 28 victories.

U S Navy Cross was bred in Kentucky by John W. Phillips, Phillips Racing Partnership, and Hank and Lynn Snowden

Remington Park racing continues Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, with the first race nightly at 7:07pm-Central.

Tracked by more than 171,000 fans on Facebook and 10,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $308 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 the $400,000 Springboard Mile, our top 2-year-old race on the final night of the season on Saturday, December 17. Remington Park also presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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