Challenge


Three Sets of Challenge Trials Headline Saturday Program at Remington Park
Grade 1 winner Rock You comes off a win in the Bob Moore Stakes last weekend to compete in Saturday's 440-yard Bank of America Oklahoma Championship Challenge (G2) trials at Remington Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography
Three Sets of Challenge Trials Headline Saturday Program at Remington Park

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 22, 2015—Grade 1 winner Rock You is one of 17 aged sprinters entered in Saturday’s 440-yard Bank of America Oklahoma Championship Challenge (G2) trials at Remington Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Saturday’s trials will meet in the $100,000-added final on May 10.

A 4-year-old gelding by champion Foose racing for Reliance Ranches LLC from the barn of trainer Eddie D. Willis, Rock You is coming off of a sophomore campaign in which he won four of eight outs, including the $943,000 Ruidoso Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, and earned $478,877. Jimmy D. Brooks has been named to ride Rock You from post 7 in the second of two trials.

Luis Rogelio Nava’s Testing The Ice ran second, a half of a length behind winner Dashin Brown Streak, in the 400-yard, $100,000 Leo Stakes (G1) at Remington on March 28. The 6-year-old gelding by champion Stoli is trained by Luz Chavira and will be ridden by Ricky Ramirez from post 3 in the first heat.

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Also on Saturday, a total of 15 fillies and mares have been entered in the 400-yard Merial Oklahoma Distaff Challenge (G3) trials.

Kateillac, a gray 4-year-old Furyofthewind mare owned and trained by Jose Aguilera, drew post 3 in the second of two heats. Kateillac outran her 16-1 odds to finish second, a half of a length behind winner Stoli Angel in last year’s $100,000 Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at Prairie Meadows.

Kateillac’s seven opponents in the second trial include J. Garvan Kelly’s Shanachee, a 6-year-old daughter of champion Country Chicks Man trained by Dean Frey. Shanachee scored a half-length victory in last year’s $46,000 Merial Oklahoma Distaff Challenge final.

Omar Reyes will ride Shanachee from post 4.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the May 10, $40,000-added final.

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Bobby D. Cox’s Wahoo, a homebred 6-year-old Feature Mr Jess gelding and the reigning AQHA champion distance horse, drew post 2 in the first of two 870-yard Zoetis Oklahoma Distance Challenge (G3) trials on Saturday.

Wahoo is coming off of a second-place finish to Emperor Valerian in the April 2, 870-yard Pauls Valley Handicap (G3) at Remington. Last year, the gelding won three of six outs and banked $84,118.

Stormy Smith will ride Wahoo for trainer John Buchanan in Saturday’s trials. The eight fastest qualifiers will meet in the $50,000-added final on May 10.

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All Remington Park races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.