The richest racing program for Oklahoma-bred
Thoroughbreds is set for Friday night at Remington Park.
Over $1 million in purse money is on the line over 10 races Friday with the
final eight races comprising the Oklahoma Classics stakes events.
The main event is the 10th and final race on the
program, the $175,000 Classic, presented by the Chickasaw Nation, at 1-1/16 miles. A field of 10 entered the race with Pleasant
Storm tabbed as the morning-line favorite at 2-1 odds according to Remington Park odds-maker Jerry Shottenkirk.
“Pleasant Storm won the allowance prep for the
Oklahoma Derby but bypassed the big one for this Classic. Although he's a
3-year-old against older horses, he still has a class edge and can return to
the winner's circle on Classics Night,”
Shottenkirk said. “He ended his 2009 season by winning the Oklahoma Classics
Juvenile and then ran in some very difficult races this spring, including the
Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn, in which he was sixth
behind top 3-year-old Lookin At Lucky.”
Owned by Vickie Fixley of Oklahoma City and trained by Joe Petalino, the
3-year-old Pleasant Storm will try to add the Classic to his score a year ago
in the Oklahoma Classics Juvenile. Jockey Bryan McNeil
has the call on Pleasant Storm.
Pleasant Storm is a winner of three of six career
starts, boasting a perfect Remington Park
record with all of his wins taking place here. The colt won his season
debut last month, scoring by a half-length, using his normal closing move from
off the pace. His career earnings coming into the Classic stand at $101,532.
Pleasant Storm will face nine foes, four of which
raced on Classics night last year. J J’s Indy (2nd), Pacar (4th) and Run Off
River (6th) competed in the Classic a year ago, finishing behind the victor,
Marq French. Garbu’s Son moves into the Classic this year after competing in
the Classics Turf in 2009 where he finished fourth.
The field for the Classic by post position and program
numbers, with trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:
1. Run Off River, Brad Heidelberg, Luis Quinonez,
2. Davilar, Larry Wilson, Jose Medina,
3. Some Quick, Dale Sneed, Benny Landeros,
4. Pleasant Storm, Joe Petalino, Bryan McNeil,
5. Share Cropper, Allen Milligan, Martin Escobar,
6. Pacar, Mike Teel, Chris Landeros,
7. Motion Approved, Marti Rodriguez, Nena Matz
8. Okie City, Juan Padilla, Belen Quinonez,
9. J J’s Indy, Brent Charlton, Dale Cordova
10. Garbu’s Son, Ernie Davidson, Cliff Berry