11/26/2012 4:49PM

Remington Park notes: The Drifter sidelined with injury

By Mary Rampellini
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Dustin Orona Photography
The Drifter, winner of the Kip Deville Stakes, will miss six months to a year with a knee injury.

The Drifter was found to have sustained a knee injury after being pulled up during the running of the $100,000 Clever Trevor at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, according to trainer Cody Autrey. The Drifter is one of the top 2-year-olds in the Southwest, with two stakes wins for owner Charles Fletcher, including the Kip Deville at Remington in September. He was the favorite in the Clever Trevor and was cruising on the early lead in the Nov. 9 stakes when suddenly guided to the outside rail by regular rider Cliff Berry.

“He cracked his knee in the race,” Autrey said. “He’ll be out six months to a year.

“The horse was perfect. On the backside, he was going as good as ever.”

Autrey said The Drifter, who had surgery to insert a screw in his right knee, would be X-rayed in six months to re-evaluate the knee. Autrey said the horse is rehabbing at trainer Bubba Cascio’s farm in Tolar, Texas. The Drifter has won 3 of 5 starts and $105,000.

◗ Remington Park has added a $50,000 overnight stakes to its schedule for 2-year-old fillies, said Don Thompson, the track’s stakes coordinator. The Mistletoe will be run at one mile on Dec. 9. It will share a card with three other stakes, including the $300,000 Springboard Mile for 2-year-olds, with the races to close out the meet in Oklahoma City.

◗ Trainer Bret Calhoun said Coyote Legend was found to have an abscess in a hind foot after being pulled up in the $55,000 Veteran at Zia Park on Nov. 3. The horse has since returned to the work tab, going a half-mile in 49 seconds at Remington on Nov. 21. Coyote Legend is an eight-time stakes winner who should see action at the upcoming Sam Houston Race Park meet, Calhoun said.

◗ Remington will hold a three-furlong race Wednesday night, and the field for the optional $10,000 claimer includes Truly Truly Truly, who was second in a race run at this unique distance in August. Curtis Kimes rides for trainer Ralph Arnold Jr.