Ivan Fallunovalot eyes Oaklawn

Ivan Fallunovalot, who rose to prominence last season at Oaklawn, could make his next start at the Arkansas track that opens in January. Ivan Fallunovalot was back at his Remington Park base Monday after running in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland. He finished ninth, 6 1/2 lengths behind winner Runhappy.

Tom Howard, who trains Ivan Fallunovalot, said the horse emerged from the Breeders’ Cup with a cut on his left front ankle. It led to swelling that had subsided by Tuesday.

“He got roughed up,” Howard said. “Either he hit himself or somebody else hit him. It took a little chunk out, about the size of a dime. Evidently, he was hit pretty solid. It swelled up, and he was pretty tender to the touch. He’s better this morning. A few days, and everything went back to normal.”

Howard said Ivan Fallunovalot likely will run next at Oaklawn, the home track of owner Lewis Mathews Jr. Ivan Fallunovalot put up a series of triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures last season at Oaklawn, winning an optional claimer, a stakes, and finishing second in the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint.

“We have nothing else scheduled for him before Oaklawn,” Howard said. “I’m not saying something won’t pop up, but I kind of doubt it.”

Ivan Fallunovalot won both of Remington’s main races for sprinters this year, including the $151,650 Sprint Cup.

Racing couple honored at Remington

Billy “Chief” Burress Sr. and his wife, Kathryn, were to be feted for 65 years of marriage on Wednesday at Remington. The couple has spent their entire marriage working in racing, and all of their children and four of their grandchildren have followed suit. Billy Burress, 85, has owned and trained horses since 1954. He sold his Oklahoma farm this year and is now working as a security guard at Remington.

“This is the first time since 1954 that I don’t own a horse,” Burress said. “I like my job at Remington because I get to be with all of my friends that are still living.”

Burress said he got to know trainers Jack Van Berg and Don Von Hemel while racing in such jurisdictions as Nebraska, and they now have stables at Remington.

Kathryn Burress was instrumental in bringing a division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association to Remington.

The couple has two sons who are retired jockeys, Billy B. Burress Jr. and Bobby G. Burress II, and one granddaughter who is a retired jockey, Beverly Burress. Kathy Burress, a daughter, is a former agent and assistant trainer. Other grandchildren who went into racing are Bobby Burress, a former track superintendent for Lone Star Park; Brianna Burress, a former groom and hotwalker; and Christy Hamilton, a former trainer who is now an exercise rider and pony person for Steve Asmussen. Hamilton coordinated a Wednesday party at Remington for her grandparents, who were married Nov. 4, 1950.

“I married the smartest woman, the prettiest woman, and the sweetest woman in the world,” said Burress.