Oklahoma Classics Night at Remington Park

The richest racing program for Oklahoma-bred Thoroughbreds is set for Friday night at Remington Park. Over $1 million in purse money is on the line over 10 races Friday with the final eight races comprising the Oklahoma Classics stakes events.

The main event is the 10th and final race on the program, the $175,000 Classic, presented by the Chickasaw Nation, at 1-1/16 miles. A field of 10 entered the race with Pleasant Storm tabbed as the morning-line favorite at 2-1 odds according to Remington Park odds-maker Jerry Shottenkirk.

“Pleasant Storm won the allowance prep for the Oklahoma Derby but bypassed the big one for this Classic. Although he's a 3-year-old against older horses, he still has a class edge and can return to the winner's circle on Classics Night,” Shottenkirk said. “He ended his 2009 season by winning the Oklahoma Classics Juvenile and then ran in some very difficult races this spring, including the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn, in which he was sixth behind top 3-year-old Lookin At Lucky.”

Owned by Vickie Fixley of Oklahoma City and trained by Joe Petalino, the 3-year-old Pleasant Storm will try to add the Classic to his score a year ago in the Oklahoma Classics Juvenile. Jockey Bryan McNeil has the call on Pleasant Storm.

Pleasant Storm is a winner of three of six career starts, boasting a perfect Remington Park record with all of his wins taking place here. The colt won his season debut last month, scoring by a half-length, using his normal closing move from off the pace. His career earnings coming into the Classic stand at $101,532.

Pleasant Storm will face nine foes, four of which raced on Classics night last year. J J’s Indy (2nd), Pacar (4th) and Run Off River (6th) competed in the Classic a year ago, finishing behind the victor, Marq French. Garbu’s Son moves into the Classic this year after competing in the Classics Turf in 2009 where he finished fourth.

The field for the Classic by post position and program numbers, with trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:
1. Run Off River, Brad Heidelberg, Luis Quinonez,
2. Davilar, Larry Wilson, Jose Medina,
3. Some Quick, Dale Sneed, Benny Landeros,
4. Pleasant Storm, Joe Petalino, Bryan McNeil,
5. Share Cropper, Allen Milligan, Martin Escobar,
6. Pacar, Mike Teel, Chris Landeros,
7. Motion Approved, Marti Rodriguez, Nena Matz
8. Okie City, Juan Padilla, Belen Quinonez,
9. J J’s Indy, Brent Charlton, Dale Cordova
10. Garbu’s Son, Ernie Davidson, Cliff Berry