WOODSTOCK ROCKS OUT WITH 10-1/2 LENGTH VICTORY IN E.L. GAYLORD MEMORIAL
One would be hard-pressed to find a more visually impressive winner on Oklahoma Derby Day at Remington Park than Woodstock was in the $50,000 E.L. Gaylord Memorial on Sunday.
A 2-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Yaupon, from the Medaglia d’Oro mare Hot Hippie, Woodstock was two lengths behind front-running Echos of Violence after a half mile in this 6-1/2 furlongs race. However, in the next quarter mile, jockey Luis Saez pushed the go button on Woodstock and she led by seven lengths at the top of the stretch and extended that to 10-1/2 lengths at the wire.
The filly, trained by Michael Maker, was racing only for the third time in her career and was returning to the dirt after she was tried on the grass at Kentucky Downs the last time out. Woodstock evidently didn’t think much of moving greensward, running fifth, beaten seven lengths, but Saez must have seen something in her because he agreed to ride her back in the Gaylord. Maybe it was the fact that she won the first race of her career on the dirt by 3-1/4 lengths. She repeated that effort in the E.L. Gaylord, plus more.
Woodstock was sent off at 2-1 odds as the favorite and paid $6 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.80 to win.
The time for the winner was 1:17.49 over the fast track. Woodstock was never worse than second as Saez stalked the early pacesetter Echos of Violence through early hot fractions of :21.92 for the first quarter-mile, :45.09 for the half-mile and then she had the after three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.81.
Woodstock is owned by Paradise Farms, David Staudacher, Gata Racing Stable and Turman Racing and they earned $30,000 for the victory. She was bred by Southern Comfort Farm in Kentucky. Woodstock improved her record to two wins from three starts and a bankroll of $57,100.
Originally, Woodstock was purchased for the bargain basement price of $35,000 from the Keeneland Association November Breeding Stock Sale of 2023 and then pinhooked when Maker bought her from the Ocala Breeders’ March Sale of 2-year-olds in training this year for $100,000. The ability she showed Sunday should give this ownership confidence that she is well worth the money.
Lanaluah (7-2) ran second, followed by Cold Case (10-1) in third, Hot Crazy Matrix (6-1) fourth, Tiz a Ten I See (10-1) fifth, Look N Mighty Fine (7-2) sixth, Echos of Violence (8-1) seventh, Ritzaphena (19-1) eighth and Double L’s Army (45-1) ninth.
The E.L. Gaylord Memorial is named in honor of the late chairman and publisher of The Oklahoman, the state’s largest newspaper. E.L. Gaylord was a staunch supporter of Oklahoma horse racing and Remington Park in the track’s early history.
Remington Park racing moves into October with a four-date race week, Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 2-5. The first race nightly is at 6pm. Sunday racing on Oct. 5 begins at 2pm. All times are Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $390 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 Oklahoma Classics Night of stakes racing for top Oklahoma-breds is Friday, Oct. 17. The Thoroughbred Season continues through Dec. 20. 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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