OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—MARCH 8, 2015—Dominant in starter allowance races last year at Remington Park, Pure D Spit won all five of his starts here. He returned Sunday afternoon for his first 2015 event, testing local stakes company with success while posting a resounding 1-˝ length triumph in the Grade 2, $57,120 Eastex Stakes.

Owned and trained by Rodrigo Covarrubias of Wichita, Kan., Pure D Spit was ridden confidently by Jesus Salazar with a vigorous hand-ride. The 7-year-old gelding took the lead shortly after the start in the 350-yard race, then pulled clear to win in :17.763 seconds over the fast track. River Wind and The Ocean King finished in a dead-heat for second. Rocketair was fourth.

Salazar has enjoyed the bulk of success aboard Pure D Spit and explains their latest score together. “My horse got out of there and had a lead of about three-quarters of a length and I just let him do his job. If you try hit him he falls apart. I let him run and he’s got a big heart.”

Pure D Spit has won nine of his last 11 races, dating back to October 2013. He has developed into a special athlete for Covarrubias who took advantage of starter allowance conditions for Pure D Spit as long as he could.

“I felt like at the starter allowance level (last year) the money was good and I figured out that no one could beat him. Now we have to step him up and go for the big money.”

Away at 5-2 odds, Pure D Spit paid $7.40 to win, $4.20 to place and $3.40 to show. River Wind returned $3.20 to place and $4.20 to show. The Ocean King paid $3 to place and $3.40 to show. One Valiant Hero was the beaten 9-5 wagering favorite, running sixth.

Bred in Oklahoma by Ray Enlow of Sapulpa, Okla., Pure D Spit is by Spit Curl Jess from the Pure D Dash mare Pure Princess. Pure D Spit has won 17 of his 40 career attempts, with the Eastex winner’s check of $34,692 moving his career earnings to $272,560.

River Wind and The Ocean King earned $9,322 for their dead-heat place finish in the Eastex Stakes.

River Wind races for owner/breeder Joe Williams and trainer Michelle Hurdle. Storm Smith had the riding call aboard the multiple graded stakes-placed Furyofthewind gelding out of Dream Diva, by First Wranger. The sorrel gelding has earned $156,964.

The Ocean King suffer his first loss after winning three straight stakes at Hialeah Park in January and February. Owned Ocean King Syndicate, the gray Corona Cartel colt is conditioned by C. Dwayne Gilbreath and ridden by Cody Jensen. The half-brother to world champion Wave Carver and champion Ocean Runaway has earned $78,797 in 14 career starts.

Completing the field were Rocketair, Walking Perry, One Valiant Hero and The Ultimate Eagle.

The Eastex is named after the winner of the 1984 All American Futurity who at one time was the sport’s all-time leading money earner. He held the record for most money earned by a 2-year-old until 2008.

The American Quarter Horse & Mixed-breed Season at Remington Park now moves into its regular weekly schedule of Thursday thru Sunday racing, starting March 12-15. The normal first race on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be 6pm. Sunday racing will begin at 1:30pm. The featured stakes race next weekend is the $50,000 SLM Big Daddy Stakes at 550 yards on Saturday, March 14.

Open daily at 10:30am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park, home of the historic 74th Oklahoma Futurity on Saturday, March 21.

Tracked by over 78,000 fans on Facebook and 6,100 Twitter followers, Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino and is 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.