ALEX BIRZER, GENE JACQUOT EARN LIP CHIP HONORS AT REMINGTON PARK
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Everyone was talking about the amazing ride jockey Alex Birzer created to win the $100,000 David M. Vance Stakes aboard Hola Joey on Oklahoma Derby Day and how it was the ride of the night at Remington Park.
In fact, the whole story behind this horse, being a $3,000 purchase at sale and earning almost a half-million in his career, catapulted Birzer and trainer Gene Jacquot to the Lip Chip Jockey and Trainer of the Week honor this week.
Hola Joey, a 4-year-old Florida-bred gelding, was bought by owner Joe D. Casey of Owasso, Okla., at the Ocala Breeders Sale in June 2024 for 2-year-olds. With the win in the Vance, Hola Joey pushed his earnings to $488,011. It was his 10th win in 18 starts lifetime for Casey and trainer Gene Jacquot. At one point in Hola Joey’s career, after his second win, Jacquot said Casey was offered more than $100,000 for the horse, but declined the offer “because Joe is just an older guy who wants to enjoy his horse.”
Jockey Alex Birzer returned to Remington Park for the first time since he rode here regularly in 2020 and gave Hola Joey arguably the ride of the day, splitting horses in deep stretch. It was a spot so narrow that some would not have blamed him for not attempting that feat. Birzer gave Hola Joey all the credit.
“Joey did all the work,” Birzer said, fighting back tears. “He is just coming to himself. Gene has done a wonderful job with this horse. I can’t tell you how gutty he was to go through there.”
It may have been Birzer’s and Jacquot’s only win of the week at Remington Park, but it will be a victory that fans will be talking about for years to come.
Others considered for the weekly honors included jockey Jose Ortiz, who won a hard-fought Oklahoma Derby aboard Silent Tactic for trainer Mark Casse, cutting the corner at the quarter-pole to outlast Zihnal at the wire, and trainer Steve Asmussen, who won six races this past week. David Cabrera, with seven wins, and Erik Asmussen, with five wins, were also on the list of possibilities.
Remington Park racing now starts a new month with action Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 1-3. The nightly start time is 6:30pm-Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $426 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. The 2026 edition of the Oklahoma Classics, the top night of stakes racing for Oklahoma-breds, is set for Friday, Oct. 16 at Remington Park. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
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