SAHALIE BATTLES FOR FRONT THEN FENDS OFF CHALLENGERS FOR TURF SCORE
OKLAHOMA CITY – August 27, 2010 - Remington Park’s $29,500 turf allowance feature Friday night had a field with plenty of experience going a mile over grass. However, it was a filly making her first attempt at that distance on the lawn that prevailed over more experienced rivals.
Sahalie, owned by Deborah Wilson of Elmendorf, Texas and trained by Bret Calhoun, stretched out from her previous five-furlong turf sprint in July at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas to a mile Friday. Under Bobby Walker, Jr., Sahalie pressed the early pace, racing second through the first six-furlongs of the race just behind No Flies On Doodle.
Around the final turn, Walker asked the 3-year-old Texas-bred filly to move forward and she responded by taking over the lead as the field turned for home. A trio of late-running challengers made a bid at Sahalie in the final furlong but she denied passage to hold sway by a half-length at the finish over Kite Seeker with Sugar Added another head behind for third.
Sahalie covered the mile in 1:36.50 over firm turf.
A winner in three of four career races, Sahalie was sent from the gate at 3-1 odds and paid $8 to win, $4 to place and $3.60 to show. Kite Seeker, the beaten 2-1 wagering favorite, returned $4 to place and $4 to show. Sugar Added paid $4.80 to show.
A daughter of Military from the Rare Performer mare Smart’n Rare, Sahalie was successful in her Remington Park debut to earn $17,745, pushing her overall bankroll to $46,675.
Remington Park opens daily at 10am for simulcast racing and casino gaming. Live racing continues Saturday at 6:30pm with the nine-race program headlined by the $50,000 Red Earth Stakes on the turf at 7-1/2 furlongs for Oklahoma-breds.
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.