Kokokomo to clash with Warrant, Number One Dude in Governor's Cup

Kokokomo has a license to make some noise in the stakes for older horses this meet at Remington Park and he gets his first shot to do so Friday night, when he takes on local stakes winners Warrant and Number One Dude in the $100,000 Governor’s Cup.

The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up is part of a nine-race season opener. The 67-date meet will run through Dec. 15. The card Saturday drew 86 horses for an average of 9.6 runners a race. It’s a promising start to what will be a special season in Oklahoma City.

“It’s a milestone, our 35th year,” said Matt Vance, executive vice president of Remington. “For anyone that was part of that original Remington Park team in 1988, it brings back a lot of memories.

“We’ve got a lot of events scheduled throughout the season.”

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Kokokomo has stepped up his game of late. He enters the Governor’s Cup off a runner-up finish in the $300,000 Texas Turf Classic June 24 at Lone Star Park. For his effort in the 1 1/8-mile race he earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 94. One start prior, Kokokomo closed fast for third in the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile on the main track at Lone Star, earning a 93 Beyer.

“He’s been in a good groove the last five months,” trainer Danny Pish said. “I think we fit in the race fairly well. It’s the same old scenario in racing – pace makes the race. And so if we can get enough pace, we should fare well, I would think.”

Number One Dude figures to be prominent in his first start since May. He won at a mile when he romped by eight lengths in the $55,000 Classic Cup at Will Rogers. Holden the Lute could show the way off a win at the same distance in an allowance at Canterbury Park. Presidential might sit closer as he picks up more ground after winning a mile allowance at Ellis Park. He could get a nice, tracking trip, as could Warrant, the winner of last year’s Oklahoma Derby.

Kokokomo’s entry has a lot to do with the distance of the Governor’s Cup, said Pish. He added the horse has been going the right way, in part because he was gelded a while back.

“He wasn’t a rank colt, but he was a very moody colt,” Pish said.

Kokokomo’s recent Beyers stack up favorably against probable favorite Warrant. Kokokomo’s pedigree also rates as one of the best the field as a son of Uncle Mo. Kokokomo is from the A.P. Indy mare Vuemont – a full sister to millionaire Marchfield who is out of multiple graded stakes winner Pico Teneriffe.

“He’s a handsome horse, a well-made horse,” Pish said. “And you like him even more when you look at his pedigree.”

Jansen Melancon has the mount from the rail, while new face Luis Fuentes has been named to ride Warrant from post 3.

Warrant was trainer Brad Cox’s third straight Oklahoma Derby winner. This year, the Grade 3, $400,000 signature race at Remington will be showcased on a card of eight stakes worth $1 million Sept. 24. The $300,000 Springboard Mile, which has traditionally carried points for the Kentucky Derby, is Dec. 15.

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