Debut points out Euro K Shotgun in Oklahoma Stallion

Euro K Shotgun carried expectations on her shoulders last month when she made her career debut at Remington Park. As a half-sister to Shotgun Kowboy, winner of last year’s Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, she had a family reputation to uphold.

Euro K Shotgun did so with a sharp score and will now vie for favoritism in Friday night’s Oklahoma Stallion Stakes.

Remington has carded two Oklahoma Stallion Stakes divisions Friday. The races are for the 3-year-old offspring of nominated stallions, and both will be run over seven furlongs for a purse of $50,000.

Euro K Shotgun will break from the rail against seven other fillies in her division.

She won her debut by 1 3/4 lengths Aug. 17. Euro K Shotgun, by Euroears, was always prominent in the maiden special weight for Oklahoma-bred fillies and mares and covered six furlongs in a strong 1:10.40.

“We didn’t run her as a 2-year-old because she needed to mature some, and she has,” said C.R. Trout, who bred, owns, and trains Euro K Shotgun. “We’re anxious to run her against winners and see how she matches up. She ran a 71 Beyer first out, and I think she’ll improve off that. This will be a good test.”

Trout likes the added ground Friday with the move to seven-eighths, and he feels that in time Euro K Shotgun will go two turns. Luis Quinonez has the mount Friday.

One of the chief threats appears to be Chaparella, who won the $55,000 Cinema by 5 1/4 lengths in May at Will Rogers Downs and comes off a second in an allowance on the turf at Remington. Bryan McNeill has the mount for Twisted Chaps Racing Stable and trainer Roger Engel.

Welder leads a group of eight colts and geldings in the other division of the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes. He is seeking his second stakes win on the year, having won the $55,000 TRAO Classic Sprint against older rivals at Will Rogers Downs. Welder will be moving back into both the restricted and the 3-year-old ranks following an optional $35,000 claiming race win at Prairie Meadows. Alex Birzer has the mount for Ra-Max Farms and trainer Theresa Luneack.

As for Euro K Shotgun’s half-brother Shotgun Kowboy, he is getting some down time at Trout’s farm near Remington, the trainer said Wednesday. Plans are to have Shotgun Kowboy set to run at the Oaklawn meet, which opens in January.

Shotgun Kowboy was second in a trio of Grade 3 races this year, the Cornhusker, Texas Mile, and Lone Star Park Handicap. He has earned $755,727.

“We just decided to give him time off and have him ready to go for Oaklawn,” said Trout, who plans to put the horse back in training in late October or early November.