OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—MAY 19, 2017—Thunderstorms loomed around Remington Park for part of the Friday night racing program. The threat of severe weather did not hinder the return of Painted Turnpike as he overwhelmed his foes in the Grade 1, $31,746 Mister Lewie Memorial Stakes for Paints and Appaloosas.

The 2015 World Champion Solid Paint, Painted Turnpike was making his first start of 2017. Owned and bred in Oklahoma by Nolan Pevehouse of Webbers Falls, Okla., Painted Turnpike launched from the rail post position to quickly take the lead and never look back under jockey Cody Smith.

Trained by Matt Whitekiller, the 4-year-old colt led by close to four lengths at one point in the 400-yard race, before cruising to the finish. Painted Turnpike handled the distance in 19.767 seconds over a muddy track, winning by two lengths over Pyc Ballerina. Dashin JJ, the winner of the Mister Lewie in and upset of Painted Turnpike in 2016, finished third, 3-1/2 lengths behind the winner.

"It was just what you wanted," Smith said. "I popped him only once near the finish line because he pricked his ears and started to pull up. He did it easily."

A heavy betting favorite at 1-5 odds, Painted Turnpike paid $2.60 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Pyc Ballerina paid $4.80 to place and $2.80 to show. Dashin JJ returned $3 to show. The remaining order of finish in the race for Paints and Appaloosas was BP Apollitical Sun, Tellerimaprettygal and Texas Snowman.

The stakes win is the 15th overall win from 18 career attempts for Painted Turnpike with nine of those scores at Remington Park. The winner’s share of the Mister Lewie Memorial, $19,026, pushes his lifetime money to $336,057. Painted Turnpike is a colt by Pyc Paint Your Wagon (QH) from the SF Royal Quick Flash mare High Class Turnpike.

The Mister Lewie Memorial is named in honor of the late trainer Lewis Warthcow of Fitzhugh, Okla. Wartchow, an Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame Member, was known as the "King of Paints" for his dominance with Paint horses throughout his career. Equally successful with Appaloosas, Wartchow passed away in 2003.

Remington Park opens early on Saturday, May 20 at 9am as simulcasting is offered from Pimlico in Baltimore beginning at 9:30am on Preakness Stakes Day. Remington Park’s live racing will begin at 4:05pm with the simulcast of the second jewel of the Triple Crown at 5:45pm. Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming is attempting to become the second Triple Crown winner in three years, needing the Preakness Stakes victory to keep the bid going.

Sunday, May 21 is Fiesta at Remington Park with the first race at 1:30pm. .

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Tracked by over 124,000 fans on Facebook and 8,800 Twitter followers, Remington Park is the home of the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity on June 3. Remington Park has provided over $167 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Open daily at 10:30am with free parking and admission, Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino 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.