Champagne Room returns with Remington Parks Oaks triumph

OKLAHOMA CITY – The champion Champagne Room made a sharp return to the races Sunday when she won the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks by 3 3/4 lengths in her first start since February.

The Breeders’ Cup could be next, but those plans are to be determined, said Peter Eurton. Up for debate is the $2 million Distaff and the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint.

The Remington Park Oaks was the second-richest race on a card of 10 stakes led by the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby. Ever So Clever finished second, while it was another three and a half lengths back to Babybluesbdancing in third.

Champagne Room ($2.40) broke on top and was in command of the 1 1/16-mile Remington Park Oaks through an opening quarter in 23.65 seconds and a half-mile in 47.05. She continued to lead through six furlongs in 1:11.07, then increased her advantage through the stretch while covering the distance in a quick 1:42.05.

“She got away perfect,” winning rider Mario Gutierrez said. “She was a little bit keen in the bridle. Besides that, she handled it perfect. We knew she was going to be ready to go today. I think my main worry was possibly relaxing her. In her 2-year-old career she was always known to be a bit of a rank filly. I think she’s getting smarter as she goes, but this being her first race, we knew she would be a little bit tough, but thank goodness, everything worked out in the end. All positive.”

Champagne Room had made one start this year prior to the Remington Park Oaks, finishing third in the Las Virgenes on Feb. 5 at Santa Anita. She subsequently had a bone chip removed. Eurton said it felt good to get Champagne Room, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2016 on the strength of her win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, back in action Sunday.

“We got the anxiety out for us and the horse, that she’s the same horse,” Eurton said. “We got a race into her, which I think as you can tell she really needed to run. She was excited. I don’t think she was nervous, but she wears her feelings right on her sleeve. We got that out of her and now we can sit back and see what we want to do – whether it be taking on the best mares in the world or kind of looking around for something a little easier. She’s going to be a nice 4-year-old.”

Champagne Room is a daughter of Broken Vow who races for the partnership of Ciaglia, Exline-Border, Gulliver Racing, Christensen, Legan and Alesia. She earned $120,000 for the win, which was her third from seven starts. She has now earned $1,430,660. Champagne Room was the first Eclipse Award winner to win a race at Remington, according to track spokesperson Dale Day.