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Eastex Handicap Highlights Remington Opening Weekend

Q-Racing Journal, March 7, 2013 – Remington Park opens its racing season March 8, and James Sills and Abel Flores’ A Toss Up carries high weight of 125 pounds when he returns from a winter’s rest in the $50,000 Eastex Handicap (G2) for older horses to highlight a stakes doubleheader on Sunday.

Supporting the Eastex Handicap is the $50,000 Mighty Deck Three Handicap for older Oklahoma-breds.

A Toss Up (Sweet First Down-Shake Cartel by Corona Cartel) was nominated to both races and his connections chose to take on open horses at 350 yards in the Eastex.

The 4-year-old gelding adores Remington Park with three wins and a pair of seconds from seven starts at the track. A year ago, trainer Eddie Willis sent him out to back-to-back stakes wins in the $246,000 Remington Park Oklahoma-bred Derby (R) and the $100,000 Sooner State Stakes (RG1), defeating state-breds in each race.

After a fifth-place finish in the Remington Park Championship (G1), he was a close second to JD Baccarat in the Higheasterjet Stakes (G3) at Ruidoso Downs. He then won his trials and qualified to both the Grade 1 All American and Texas Classic derbies.

Denis and Julie Schoenhofer’s champion First Klas Fred (Fredricksburg-She Flies First Klas by Strawfly Special) concluded his 2012 season with a win in the Classic Chevrolet Stakes (R) and a second in the B. F. Phillips Handicap (RG3). Each of those races was at Lone Star Park for Texas-breds.

First Klas Fred won the 2009 Ruidoso Futurity (G1) on his way to being honored as champion 2-year-old gelding.

John Lawless’ very consistent Eufaula Me (Okey Dokey Dale-Yawls Spreadn Rumors by Serious Rumors) makes his first start since taking the $94,400 Polk County Derby (R) at Prairie Meadows in October. The close second-place finisher in last year’s $135,000 Oklahoma Derby also boasts stakes wins at Prairie Meadows in the Jim Bader Futurity (R) and the Iowa Double Gold Derby (R).

Two racing champions will make their 2013 debuts on Friday at Sunland Park. Champion 2-year-old filly PJ Chick In Black and champion distance horse All About Larry will start in trial races for the West Texas Derby (G2) and Red Cell Sunland Distance Challenge (G3), respectively.

PJ Chick In Black (Desirio-Eddie Jym by Corona Cocktail) races for Denny Bowen, Susie Taylor and Jack Smith Farms. She won five of six starts last year, including the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and New Mexico Spring Futurity (RG2), on her way to championship honors. She will attempt to follow a similar route to a 3-year-old championship taken by 2010 champion 3-year-old gelding Double Down Special, who won the West Texas Derby (G3), then traveled to Ruidoso Downs where he won the Grade 1 Ruidoso and All American derbies. She races in the third of seven trials for the derby, which is the fifth race on the card.

All About Larry (Heza Motor Scooter-Come Hell Or Hiwater by Shoot Yeah) races for Diane Heath. Last year, the champion distance horse won six of eight starts, including the Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship (G1). He races in the second of two trials to the Red Cell Sunland Distance Challenge, the second race on the card.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal or America’s Horse, visit AQHA Publications.

American Quarter Horse Association
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