Remington Park: Solar Charge keeps rolling in Winter Dash

Solar Charge won his fourth consecutive race Thursday night, when he closed into a hot pace to take the $50,000 Winter Dash at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. He finished 2 1/4 lengths clear of runner-up Flat Back, while it was another three lengths back to third-place finisher Banner Cat.

The Winter Dash, an overnight stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs, was the first of four stakes being run over Remington’s closing week. The meet ends Saturday night with a three-stakes program led by the $300,000 Springboard Mile.

Solar Charge ($7.60) sat in fifth in the early stages of the Winter Dash, as Banner Cat blazed through an opening quarter in 21.43 seconds and a half-mile in 44.41. Solar Charge advanced on the turn and rallied in the stretch to cover the distance on a fast track in a quick 1:02.46. The track record for the distance is 1:02.

The Winter Dash was Solar Charge’s first race for H and H Ranch and trainer Karl Broberg after being claimed for $35,000 at Remington on Oct. 22. He began his win streak on Sept. 5, when he won a $35,000 optional claiming allowance at Remington. One start later he shipped to Retama Park near San Antonio and won an allowance there Sept. 24.

Glen Murphy rode Solar Charge, who was winning for the eighth time in 20 starts. He earned $30,000 for his win in the Winter Dash, to improve his career earnings to $167,844.