Livewires Turnpike, ridden by Francisco Calderon, wins the $20,000 Paul Harber Memorial Stakes by a 1/2-length Saturday at Remington Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography/Lone Star Park

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–March 23, 2024–Seven paints and one appaloosa competed in the $20,000 Paul Harber Memorial Stakes Saturday evening in honor of the late Paul Harber who was extremely active in the Paint Horse racing industry expanding four decades.

It was the 2023 APHA world champion Livewires Turnpike who propelled down the track at Remington Park for his first victory this season.

Livewires Turnpike, ridden by Francisco Calderon, fired off halfway home to win by a 1/2-length in :15.446 seconds. Clocking a 91 speed index against an 8 mph head wind, the post-time favorite’s 300-yard victory paid $4.20 on 1/1 odds.

The son of leading APHA sire CRM Livewire is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Livewires Turnpike has 11 wins from 16 starts with seven of them stakes victories. Tonight’s $14,838 purse increased his lifetime earnings to $210,132.

In addition to his incredible race record, the four-year-old gelding has five championship titles from his first two year s of racing, including two-time APHA champion two-year-old in 2022 and the APHA world champion/two-time champion three-year-old accolades from 2023.

Five of the seven stakes wins earned by Livewires Turnpikes were Grade 1 victories, including the Texas Hero Futurity, Pot O Gold Futurity, Speedhorse Graham P&A Futurity, Mister Lewie Memorial Stakes and National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Stakes.

Nolan Pevehouse bred Livewires Turnpike in Oklahoma out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Wagon On Turnpike. Tonight’s victory was the fifth time trainer Matt Whitekiller has won the Paul Harber Memorial Stakes and first time for owner Bryan Hawk.

Over The Shock (APHA), with Randy Vega aboard, closed in at the finish for second best. The five-year-old gelding is also sired by CRM Livewire and owned by Robin Haggard. The five-time winner has $76,302 in the bank.

Trainer Matt Whitekiller also bred Over The Shock in Oklahoma out of the Streak And Dash mare Dont Look Ethel.

Jockey Roman Cruz guided Turnpikes Judy (APHA) to her third place finish. The seven-time winning daughter of Barracuda has $112,067 in lifetime earnings.

Also bred by Nolan Pevehouse, Turnpikes Judy is a half-sister to Livewires Turnpike out of Wagon On Turnpike by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. Trainer Jesus Ruben Ruiz conditioned the five-year-old filly for owners Shari Burger and Vickie McBee.

Completing the order of finish was Queen For Cash, Drank Like Hank, Bf Hannas Wagon, Jh Wildcat and Wl Trapwire.
 

*************************

About Remington Park
Remington Park has provided more than $345 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.