Fifth Date still productive heading into Turf Sprint

At age 10, Fifth Date is in the twilight of his career, but his 2014 record suggests he is in his prime. A winner of 5 of 9 starts this year, Fifth Date will be looking to add to his credentials Friday night in the $50,000 Remington Park Turf Sprint. The five-furlong race is restricted to 3-year-olds and up bred in Oklahoma.

Fifth Date has been on his game all season long, with wins at Oaklawn Park, Prairie Meadows, and Remington. He will be seeking his third consecutive score Friday. Fifth Date captured the $30,000 Heavy Stakes at two furlongs at Prairie Meadows on Aug. 8, then accounted for Remington’s allowance prep for the Turf Sprint on Aug. 22.

“I didn’t really want to run him as a 10-year-old – the horse doesn’t owe me anything – but when I turned him out [last summer], he wasn’t happy,” said Danny Caldwell, who races Fifth Date. “He lost weight. He wasn’t having any part of it. He just wasn’t happy. We put him up, and he’s been running really good. I guess that’s what he wants to do.”

Turf Sprint (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Fifth Date (Last 3 Beyers: 74-75-78)

◗ Fifth Date will break from the rail, with trainer Federico Villafranco giving the mount to Juan Vazquez.

“I was kind of happy we drew the rail,” Caldwell said. “We’re going to go for the lead. No secret.” ◗ Fifth Date has won 24 races in his career, with a 1-for-3 record on grass and a 6-for-17 mark on wet tracks.

“I think they’re calling for the possibility of rain, and that wouldn’t upset me much because his wet numbers are really good,” said Caldwell.

Okie Ride (Last 3 Beyers: 87-88-79)

◗ He’s a seven-time stakes winner and the defending champ in the Remington Park Turf Sprint. He won the race in his lone start on grass.

◗ Okie Ride was third in his seasonal debut last out and has reason to move forward in his second race since November.

◗ Cliff Berry has the mount for the Richter Family Trust and trainer Kenneth Nolen.