Remington Park: A Toss Up tops Eastex Handicap

A Toss Up will launch his season Sunday in the Grade 2, $50,000 Eastex Handicap for Quarter Horses at Remington Park. He is the 125-pound highweight in the 350-yard race, which is part of the opening weekend action at the Oklahoma City track.

A Toss Up was a restricted Grade 1 winner last season at Remington, when he won the Sooner State Stakes. The Eastex will be his first start since November, when he finished eighth in the Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby at Lone Star Park near Dallas. Prior to that race, A Toss Up had won a pair of trial races, one at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico one at and Lone Star.

Jimmy Brooks has the mount for trainer Eddie Willis.

The chief rival could be First Klas Fred, who is making his first start since October when he missed by a neck in a restricted Grade 3 race at Lone Star. He is a Grade 1 winner of $557,533. Jerry Yoakum has the mount for trainer Toby Keeton.

The Eastex is a first look at some of the older horses on the grounds, runners who could see action later this meet in the Grade 2, $100,000 Oklahoma Challenge Championship on May 12 or the Grade 1, $250,000 Remington Park Championship on June 1.

◗ Remington announced this week that purses for all overnight races for Quarter Horses will be boosted by $500 each. The increase went into effect with the first card of the meet Friday.

“To begin the season with an immediate increase to purses is very exciting,” Remington president and general manager Scott Wells said.