Paul Jones brings division to Remington

Paul Jones, who was voted champion trainer last year by the American Quarter Horse Association, will have a division at Remington Park for the first time when the track opens for a 50-date Quarter Horse meet Friday. Purses for the season, which will run through May 31, are projected at a record $230,000 a day. Highlights of the stakes schedule include the $1 million-estimated Heritage Place Quarter Horse Futurity on closing night.

Jones, who is a regular in California and New Mexico, will be part of a trainer roster that includes defending champ Luis Villafranco. The leading rider from a year ago, G.R. Carter, is also back in search of his 12th title at Remington.

The track will jump into its Quarter Horse meet an hour earlier than scheduled on both Friday and Saturday night, with first posts set for 5:30 p.m Central. Remington is conducting trials each night, and overflow entries have led to a 13-race card for Friday and a 14-race program for Saturday.

For most cards this meet, first post will be at 6:25 p.m. Remington plans to race on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule until March 19, when it will add Thursdays.

The track's rich stakes and overnight purse schedules are fueled in part by 700 electronic gaming machines at the track. The meet's other top race is the Grade 2, $750,000-estimated Remington Park Quarter Horse Futurity on April 18.