OKLAHOMA OWNER AND BREEDER SET FOR BEST DAY AT BREEDERS’ CUP WITH COGBURN
Owner Clark Brewster of Tulsa, Okla., wanted to name his superstar sprinter Rooster Cogburn because of actor John Wayne’s eye patch in his portrayal of that character in the movies.
The name was rejected so Brewster settled for Cogburn. That blistering fast 5-year-old Kentucky-bred colt owned in conjunction with partners Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, is the 7-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar near San Diego, Calif.
Brewster has long been a breeder and owner in Oklahoma, campaigning his horses at Remington Park. Since 1996, he has won 238 races in Oklahoma City as a sole owner, according to statistics provided by Equibase.
The reason Brewster wanted that name so badly is the same reason his group was able to purchase Cogburn for only $150,000 after he had previously been bought for $310,000 by Three Amigos in the Fasig-Tipton Yearling Sale in 2020.
“He had a bit of a glitch in one eye that had been detected,” said Brewster. “They thought his eyesight might deteriorate, but it’s fine. He can see perfectly. I just thought Rooster Cogburn would be just right for him. He breezed lights out at his 2-year-old sale and we really liked him.”
Talk about perfect vision. Cogburn has seen his way to winning 9-of-15 races in his career and $2,392,630 in earnings. He has drawn the attention of breeding farms and overseas racetracks for their elite sprint races. Cogburn is trained by the sport’s all-time winningest trainer in history, Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Asmussen has won eight Breeders’ Cup races in his career.
“Last night, we sold 1/40th of a share in (Cogburn) for $475,000,” Brewster said Thursday morning. “Bill and I decided we would send him to WinStar Farm when he retires. I retained 27-1/2 percent of him as majority owner.”
Brewster said WinStar is part owner and Frank Antonucci also bought a share of him. There is possibly one more race for Cogburn after the Breeders’ Cup before he retires.
“Cogburn has been invited to run in the Hong Kong Cup,” Brewster said. “That’s a $3.4 million purse. It would enhance his breeding reputation internationally. But the main thing is the horse’s welfare. It will all depend on how he comes out of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint before we decide on whether we will make that 20-hour trip.”
Brewster said Cogburn has, without a doubt, been the best horse he has ever owned and he has been in the business of horse racing as an owner for several decades. Cogburn set a world record at Saratoga in upstate New York when he won the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes, blazing the 5-1/2 furlongs in :59.80. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint will be at 5 furlongs.
“You know, I used to look at the interviews in the winner’s circle with the owners of Kentucky Derby horses and think, ‘why is everyone 85 years old?’ “ he said. “The answer to that question is sometimes it takes that long to find a horse like this. It took us a long time to find Cogburn. He is brilliant and he is the kind of horse that really warms your heart every day.”
Brewster has regularly competed at Remington Park since the track opened in his home state. He has nothing but praise for the operation.
“I’ve never been treated more kindly with the utmost respect than I have at Remington Park,” he said. “It’s a first class operation that has been great for the state of Oklahoma in every aspect. I mean that with all my heart. The people are so professional and we will continue to race horses there yearly.”
Cogburn’s race Saturday is scheduled as race five on the Breeders’ Cup card, approximately 2:41 p.m. Central time. Fans can watch and wager on the race at Remington Park.
HH at 998 into Thursday at Remington
Jockey Harry Hernandez went winless in two attempts on Wednesday. He continues his attempt to reach 1,000 career wins in North America with three mounts.
Hernandez will ride Gist (12-1 morning-line odds) in race two, morning-line favorite Rollin Chrome (5-2) in race three and then in race nine it will be Mo Saturdays (5-2).
Hernandez is completing his second full season at Remington Park. He is fourth in the rider standings with 31 wins. He trails leader Stewart Elliott who has 59 wins.
Asmussen First Trainer to Triple
Steve Asmussen, the multiple Hall of Famer and all-time leader in training victories, became the first conditioner to post three victories on the same card this season at Remington Park. He had the hat trick Wednesday, scoring three of the seven races on the night.
The first score came with Copper Storm ($2.40 to win) in race three, followed by Running Commentary ($13.80) in race four. Land Speed ($2.40) completed the triple in race six.
Asmussen has 39 wins for the season through 41 dates. He is well ahead of Joe Offolter who is in second-place in the standings with 17 wins.
The 42nd night of racing features 10 races on Halloween, underway at 6:30pm. The track is fast and the turf is firm.
Remington Park has provided more than $363 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 continues through Dec. 13 when the $300,000 Springboard Mile tops the final night of the season. The major 2-year-old stakes race of the season, the Springboard awards valuable 2025 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.