MILLIONAIRE OKLAHOMA-BRED SHOTGUN KOWBOY PUTS SMILE ON TROUT’S FACE AFTER WORKOUT

OKLAHOMA CITY – Breeder-owner-trainer C.R. Trout had a big smile on his face as he contemplated the work tab Wednesday morning from his Remington Park barn. The reason was simple – his big horse, Oklahoma-bred 6-year-old gelding Shotgun Kowboy, had just come back from his first work of the meet, coming off a major upset win in the Grade 3 $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap in May.

“We were tickled to death, very pleased with his work,” said Trout. “The work wasn’t that fast, 49 seconds for a half mile, and he galloped out in 1:15 (for 6 furlongs). It was just what we were looking for.”

Shotgun Kowboy has won 7-of-11 starts at Remington Park during his career and earned $710,402 here. Last fall at this Oklahoma City track, he captured the $175,000 Oklahoma Classics Cup by an impressive five lengths. He also won the race in 2015.

“We’re pointing him to the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at a mile and an eighth on the dirt,” Trout said. “And then the Oklahoma Classics.”

The Governor’s Cup will be run on Oklahoma Derby Day, Sept. 30.

Shotgun Kowboy, an earner of $1,246,326 lifetime with 12 wins from 29 starts, gave Trout reason to grimace instead of smile earlier this year.

“He had an abscess in his right front foot after Oaklawn (this spring), but it popped and we gave him time to get over it,” said Trout, who bred, owns and trains this horse. “Now we’re ready to go again.”

The old veteran runner showed just how well he had healed in the Lone Star Park Handicap, getting the best of Grade 1 winner Mubtaahij. It was Shotgun Kowboy’s second graded stakes win. Mubtaahij, who placed in the Santa Anita Handicap, is conditioned by National Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Trout, of Edmond, Okla. was the Remington Park’s second-leading owner last year by money earned with $513,436, finishing behind only Danny Caldwell.

The $100,000 Remington Green is featured on Opening Night. Saturday evening is the 4th-annual “Remington Bark” featuring an evening of fun for canines and their guests with costume contests, obstacle course and exhibition dog races. The first Thoroughbred race on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24 & 25, is at 7pm-Central.

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