OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—MAY 8, 2011—Returning to the winner’s circle where his first huge stakes victory took place as a 2-year-old, American Quarter Horse Racing’s all-time leading money earner Stolis Winner posted victory in Sunday’s Grade 2, $107,190 Bank of America Oklahoma Championship.

Owned and bred in Texas by Jerry Windham of College Station, Texas and trained by Heath Taylor, Stolis Winner was ridden to victory by Jacky Martin.

Stolis Winner returned to the Remington Park winner’s circle for the first time since gathering his first really big stakes race check when he won the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity as a 2-year-old at Remington Park in 2008. The 5-year-old gelding went on to win the sport’s richest race, the All American Futurity, later that year.

Stolis Winner reached down for more in the Oklahoma Championship as he was fourth in the field of 10, midway through the 440-yard race Sunday. Displaying tremendous determination, his run accelerated over the final 200 yards to gain the lead and maintain victory by a half-length over top qualifier Streakin Down who had set the 440-yard track record in a trial for the Oklahoma Championship. Stolis Winner ran second in the same trial on April 24 with his personal race time also faster than the prior track record at the distance, even though he was the runner-up.

Taylor was very pleased with the effort Stolis Winner displayed in the win. “We’re excited for the horse especially with all the adversity he’s been through the past couple of years,” Taylor noted. “To come back at this level as a 5-year-old to win a grade 2 race against this quality of horses is much more fulfilling. It’s not even about the money or the purse with him. He has the record and once they make as much as he has you don’t really keep track anymore. Now it is about him winning the race.”

Martin was confident of Stolis Winner running a big race when they stepped on the racetrack. “He acted like a 2-year-old during the post parade, bucking and playing and really on his toes,” Martin noted. “When he left the gate the others had a half-length or three-quarters of a length in front of him. He’s still good enough to make it up and he can really get that quarter-mile.”

Stolis Winner handled the 440-yards of the Oklahoma Championship in :21.699 seconds over the fast track. Away at 5-2 in the wagering, he paid $7 to win, $2.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Streakin Down paid $2.20 to place and $2.20 to show as the beaten 3-5 betting favorite. Mr Truly Uno was third and paid $4.80 to show.

The Oklahoma Championship was the 13th win from 26 career starts for Stolis Winner who has now won three races at Remington Park. A son of Stoli by the Runaway Winner mare Veva Jean, he made $49,312 Sunday to move his all-time earnings record to $2,221,911.

Merial Oklahoma Distaff Challenge

In other American Quarter Horse Association Oklahoma Challenge stakes races on Sunday, the $46,080 Merial Oklahoma Distaff Challenge for older female athletes went to Fredaville who has been dominant throughout her Remington Park season.

Owned and bred in Oklahoma by Robert Gentry of Lubbock, Texas, Fredaville is trained by Clint Crawford and was ridden by J.D. Mitchener. The talented 5-year-old mare previously won the Decketta Stakes in March in addition to an allowance event earlier the same month.

Fredaville pulled clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths while handling 400 yards in :19.989 seconds. Crystal Sola and Louisiana Blue Dream finished in a dead-heat for second.

The 3-5 wagering favorite, Fredaville paid $3.20 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Crystal Sola returned $2.40 to place and $3.40 to show. Louisiana Blue Dream paid $2.40 to place and $3 to show.

A daughter of Mr Jess Perry from the Dash For Cash mare Fearless Freda, Fredaville won her eighth career race from 25 attempts while keeping her local record unblemished at three-for-three. The winner’s check of $21,200 moved her career earnings to $159,401.

Grade 2, $38,520 Red Cell Oklahoma Distance Challenge

Checotah Dale had the rail post position and used it to his best advantage during the 870-yard Distance Challenge, hugging the barrier all the way around to maintain the shortest avenue possible from start to the finish.

Owned by Jim Riley of Crow Agency, Mont. and trained by Henry Smith, Checotah Dale had to battle throughout the entire race on the turn with Bonified Man who eventually gave way. J.D. Mitchener rode Checotah Dale, winning by three-quarters of a length, crossing the finish in :45.559 seconds.

At 2-1 in the wagering, Checotah Dale paid $6.20 to win, $2.60 to place and $3 to show. Bonified Man was the beaten 6-5 favorite, paying $2.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Royal Initiative was another 4-1/4 lengths behind the runner-up in third, paying $4 to show.

Checotah Dale is a 4-year-old Okey Dokey Dale gelding, bred in Montana by Riley, by Eye For Dale from the Here We Come (TB) mare Checotah Kitty. The Distance Challenge was the fourth career win from 14 attempts for Checotah Dale who is a perfect three-for-three overall at Remington Park with all wins this season. The winner’s share of $18,877 grows the career earnings for Checotah Dale to $61,978.

$32,330 Pfizer Oklahoma Starter Allowance Challenge

The horses that make a living competing in claiming races had their moment on Sunday as well in the Starter Allowance Challenge. Flying Bye Here used a quick start to take the immediate lead and hold on over 350 yards to win by a half-length.

Owned by Kevin Hogan of Cypress, Texas and trained by Toby Keeton, Flying Bye Here was ridden by Agustin Silva. Sweet Separations settled for second as the 3-2 wagering favorite with Willie Dicey Dude third. Flying Bye Here crossed the finish in :17.805 seconds.

Flying Bye Here was 5-1 in the wagering and paid $13.60 to win, $4.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Sweet Separations paid $3.40 to place and $3 to show. Willie Dicey Dude paid $6.40 to show.

The Starter Allowance Challenge was the fourth career win for Flying Bye Here from 16 attempts, providing victory in his Remington Park debut. Bred in Louisiana by David and Karen Richardson, Flying Bye Here is a 4-year-old colt by Dashin Bye from the Chicks Beduino mare Sign Here Please. He made $14,824 Sunday to bump his lifetime bankroll to $54,965.

The Remington Park American Quarter Horse & Mixed-breed Season will continue Thursday thru Sunday, May 12-15. The first race on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night is at 6pm. Sunday afternoon racing is underway at 1:30pm.

Open daily at 10am for casino gaming, Remington Park also features Henry Hudson’s on the first floor, which opens for lunch at 11am. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park.

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.