Husband, wife lead at Remington

Jockey Nena Matz and her husband, trainer Zachary Armstrong, are leading their respective standings at the Remington Park mixed meet, which runs through Aug. 17.

Matz won four races from seven mounts last Sunday to increase her advantage in the Thoroughbred rider standings, while Armstrong, who has won with two of three starters, is in a five-way tie atop the Thorough-bred trainer standings.

Matz has ridden at Remington since 1997, but said she has never employed an agent at the track until this meet, when she decided to team with former trainer Pete Caparelli.

"Pete called me up in the spring and asked if I wanted him to work for me booking rides this season," Matz said. "I thought about it and realized that he knows a lot of trainers and could possibly get me into some barns that I've never worked for before."

Things have worked out well. Matz had won 9 races from 21 mounts through Sunday, six more than Cliff Berry and David Brown, who are tied for second place in the Remington standings.

* Jockey Roy Brooks turned 62 last Friday, and to celebrate he won two Quarter Horse races at Remington. One of his winning mounts was Freada Maxine, who turned in the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 1, $175,000-estimated Remington Park Futurity. The race will be run Aug. 17.

* Mr Ross has been named the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Association's horse of the year for 2002. One of the gelding's biggest wins last year was the Grade 3, $100,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn. Mr Ross, who is 8, has earned more than $1 million.