Remington: Cold Cash 123 returns to action in Leo

Cold Cash 123, the reigning world champion Quarter Horse, will launch his 2012 campaign Saturday night in the Grade 1, $100,000 Leo Stakes at Remington Park. The 400-yard race drew a field of 10 and includes multiple Grade 1 winner Llano Teller.

Cold Cash 123, the T Bill Stables-owned runner who is closing in on millionaire status with career earnings of $979,741, will be making his first start since Dec. 31, when he won the Grade 1, $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park. He was freshened following that race, spending some time on trainer Sleepy Gilbreath’s farm and training center in Texas.

“He’s fit,” Gilbreath said. “For two or three weeks we didn’t do anything with him, but he’s been back training and he’s doing pretty good.”
Gilbreath said the major objective with Cold Cash 123 this season is to qualify for the Grade 1, $750,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos on Dec. 15. The horse’s first shot at a berth will come in the $250,000 Remington Park Invitational Championship on May 27.

“The race Saturday night doesn’t carry an invite, but it’s $100,000 and there are not many races out there worth $100,000 for an older horse,” said Gilbreath.

The Leo’s position on the calendar also makes it a stepping-stone to the Remington Invitational.
Roy Baldillez will ride Cold Cash 123, who drew post 8.

◗ Ochoa, champion 2-year-old Quarter Horse of 2011 by virtue of his win in the All American Futurity, has been in training on Gilbreath’s farm and is scheduled to join his stable at Remington in the next few days. Gilbreath said the major objective for Ochoa remains the rich derby series at Ruidoso Downs.