Remington Oaks among three stakes wins for Napravnik

OKLAHOMA CITY - Jockey Rosie Napravnik swept into Remington Park on Sunday and won three of the seven stakes offered on the track’s most prestigious program of the year, led by a 5 1/4-length romp by Shanon Nicole in the $200,000 Remington Oaks. Napravnik also took the $150,000 Remington Sprint Cup on Mico Margarita and the $75,000 Kip Deville on Bayerd.

The undercard stakes supported the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby won by Tonito M.

Shanon Nicole ($7.40) stalked the pace set by Swing It Dish, who took the field through six furlongs in 1:12.41. Shanon Nicole took over in the stretch and covered 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.33.

“I had a really nice inside trip,” Napravnik said. “My filly is so cool to ride. She gets where she wants and she loves to come up the inside. She put in a great run today.”

Napravnik was aboard for Connie M. Apostelos and trainer Mike Maker.

In the Remington Sprint, Mico Margarita ($4.80) caught pacesetting Heitai nearing the wire for a three-quarter length win. Heitai was a clear second, finishing 3 ½ lengths in front of third-place finisher Ghost Is Clear.

Mico Margarita ($4.80) settled into sixth early on as Heitai was up by four lengths through an opening quarter in 21.26 seconds. Heitai continued to lead the field through a half-mile in 43.50 and five furlongs in 55.70 before being reeled in late by Mico Margarita. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:09.26.

“Mico Margarita is an excellent come from behind sprinter,” said Napravnik, aboard for Kirk and Judy Robison and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Napravnik, riding for the first time at Remington, struck early on the program with Bayerd ($3.20), who dueled and prevailed for a one-length win over Nubaldo Bling in the Kip Deville for 2-year-olds. The winner came into the race off an 11-length maiden special weight score at Saratoga.

“Bayerd is a nice horse, has a lot of class,” said Napravnik.

Bayerd pushed Nubaldo Bling through an opening quarter in 21.99 seconds and a half-mile in 44.96 before going on to a one-length win over that rival at 3-5.

“He's pretty sharp,” Napravnik said. “He's very professional for a 2-year-old. He just got off the leader. He fought hard at the end.”

Napravnik was aboard for Asmussen, who said Bayerd would be pointed for the Clever Trevor at Remington. The race is the local stepping-stone to the $250,000 Springboard Mile in December. Bayerd, a son of Speightstown, races for Clark Brewster.

In the $100,000 Remington Green for 3-year-olds and up, Greengrassofyoming ($19.20) was a 1 1/4-length winner over favorite Gentleman's Kitten. He covered 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in a hand-timed 1:46.63.

“He just traveled like a winner the whole way,” said jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., aboard for Patricias Hope LLC and trainer Mike Tomlinson.

Trainer Jareth Loveberry had a stakes double, taking the $50,000 Flashy Lady with Fast N Fine Lookin ($13.80) and the $50,000 Ladies On the Lawn with Ridgeofstone ($10).