Remington: Sticks Wondergirl wires field in Remington Oaks

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sticks Wondergirl remained perfect around two turns on Sunday, when she won her stakes debut in the $250,000 Remington Park Oaks. She was a front-running, three-quarter length winner over even-money favorite Jemima’s Pearl, while it was another six lengths back in third to Yankee Union.

The Oaks was the richest of four undercard stakes supporting the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby. Together the five races were worth $1 million on what was the biggest day of the meet. 

Sticks Wondergirl ($9.60) moved to the lead soon after the start in the 1 1/16-mile  Oaks, and led the field through an opening quarter in 23.58 seconds for the opening quarter and 47.45 for the half-mile. On the turn, she withstood a challenge from Yankee Union  and then comfortably held off the stretch bid of Jemima’s Pearl. Sticks Wondergirl covered the distance on a track rated muddy in 1:44.05.

“She took it right to them,” said Jon Court, who rode the winner for trainer Greg Burchell.

Sticks Wondergirl has used the same kind of tactics in all of her two-turn races. She won a maiden special weight at a mile at Ellis Park in her second career start July 15. One start later, Sticks Wondergirl accounted for a first-level allowance at Hoosier by more than seven lengths Aug. 22.

Burchell said turf will be an option he will explore next with the filly, whom  he trains for Alvin D. Haynes and Beth Burchell. 

“She’s trained at Keeneland all her life, and she likes the Polytrack,” said Burchell. “But I actually think she’ll really like the grass.” 

Burchell said he will look at turf stakes options in the Midwest, and also in New York.

Sticks Wondergirl has now won 3 of 4 starts and $191,638. She is a daughter of Stevie Wonderboy.

Sprint Cup: Alsvid wins fifth stakes

Alsvid solidified his status as the top sprinter in Oklahoma on Sunday, when he edged Apprehender by a nose in the $200,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup. It was another five lengths back in third to Que Posse.

With the win, Alsivd ($5.40) completed a sweep of the two major sprint stakes run at Remington Park. Last month, he won the $103,000 David M. Vance. In both races, Alsvid, a 3-year-old son of Officer, defeated older rivals. Overall, the horse has now won five stakes in his career. 

Alsvid on Sunday rallied from just off the pace to take the lead in the stretch. He then battled to the wire with a rail-surging Apprehender to win a tight photo. 

“My horse is just so game;. He put his head down,” said winning rider Chris Landeros.

Alsvid covered six furlongs on a track upgraded to good in 1:09.46. The horse races for Black Hawk Stable and is trained by Chris Hartman. 

* Lockout ($10.20) defeated older rivals in the $125,000 Remington Green when the 3-year-old edged Golden Yank for a head win in the 1 1/16-mile  turf race. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back in third to favorite and pacesetter Global Power. Lockout stalked the pace, advanced on the final turn,  and covered the distance on a course upgraded to good in 1:42.21. Jermaine Bridgmohan rode the winner for John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse.

* Skedee ($8.40) won her seventh race over the Remington turf course in the $50,000 Ladies on the Lawn, a 7 1/2- furlong stakes for fillies and mares bred in Oklahoma. The score came just days after one of her co-owners, Robert Poteet, died, said trainer Mary Lowder. Skedee won by a head over Oopsville Slew, and covered the distance on a course rated good in 1:31.08. She is co-owned by John Lowder and was ridden by Benny Landeros.