REMINGTON PARK OPENS THOROUGHBRED SEASON, GALACTIC WINS FIRST RACE, FREE SAILING GAINS FEATURE WIN
OKLAHOMA CITY – August 19, 2010 - The 2010 Remington Park Thoroughbred Season is underway with the initial race of the 67-date run won by Galactic.
Owned by Tom Tysdal of Lawton, Okla. and trained by defending champion trainer at Remington Park Steve Asmussen, Galactic was ridden by Aaron Gryder who is in Oklahoma City for his first full season.
Galactic won his career debut, scoring as the heavy 1-2 wagering favorite in the six-furlong $26,500 Maiden Special Weight race. Winning by an easy 8-1/4 lengths, he covered six furlongs in 1:10.38 over a fast track.
The gray Galactic, a 3-year-old gelding, is a Kentucky-bred by Distorted Humor from the Storm Cat mare Ile de France. He earned $15,855 for the victory.
The ninth race, the nightcap on the first night of the season, was a $28,500 allowance feature on the turf. Free Sailing moved through an opening at the rail before going on to a 4-1/2 length win.
Owned by Michael Grossman of Fredricksburg, Texas and trained by Francisco Bravo, Free Sailing triumphed thanks to a smooth ride by Bryan McNeil. The 3-year-old gelding waited to move while saving ground at the rail throughout the first half of the 7-1/2 furlong turf event. With a quarter-mile left in the race, McNeil seized advantage of an opening at the rail and propelled Free Sailing off the turn to a quick lead in the lane.
Free Sailing crossed the finish in 1:30.09 over firm going, finishing ahead of Sargent Marv and Chile Frito. Away at 5-2 odds, Free Sailing paid $7.80 to win, $4.40 to place and $5.20 to show. Sargent Marv returned $10 to place and $9 to show. Chile Frito paid $16 to show.
The trifecta (Nos. 3-7-4) paid $1,840 for a $2 wager.
Free Sailing won his second career race from nine attempts and his first in four tries at Remington Park. A Kentucky-bred gelding by Stormy Atlantic from the Wild Again mare Atlantic Fury, Free Sailing earned $16,655 for the win to push his lifetime earnings to $39,665.
Remington Park presents another nine-race program on Friday. Fans can win $500 in cash giveaways beginning after race three and continuing for the rest of the card after that.
Remington Park opens at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing on Friday with live racing beginning at 6:30pm.
Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino, located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com .