Remington sets handle record on Oklahoma Derby Day

Remington Park handled $3,086,572 from all sources on its 13-race Oklahoma Derby Day program, an all-time live handle record for the track, said track spokesman Dale Day. The card was increased to 13 races this year after being at 12 since 2016, according to Day.

There were eight stakes Sunday. Remington offered an all-stakes pick four on races 10-13 that had a minimum guaranteed pool of $75,000. The final pool was $254,167. The winning numbers were 9-10-11-3 and the 50-cent bet returned $578.35.

Asmussen, Santana set records

Trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. teamed to win seven races on the Oklahoma Derby Day card at Remington Park, including the Grade 3, $200,000 Remington Park Oaks with Lady Apple, the $75,000 Ricks Memorial with Area, and the $50,000 Flashy Lady Stakes with Mt. Brave.

The feat broke Asmussen’s former record of five wins on a Remington card, which he shared with trainer Wade White. Asmussen won five races on a Remington card twice in 2018 and once in 2017. White accomplished the feat in 1993.

Santana equaled Cliff Berry’s record for jockey wins on a card at Remington. Berry won with all seven of his mounts on a 2010 card. Santana had 13 mounts Sunday.

Asmussen has a division at Remington and is closing in on 1,000 wins there. He has 998 going into the races Thursday night, according to Daily Racing Form records. Asmussen has had 4,566 starts at Remington, for stable earnings of $19.8 million. He is the leading trainer at the Remington meet.

Eramia to return early October

Remington Park leading rider Richard Eramia, who was off his mounts on the Oklahoma Derby Day card, hopes to resume riding in early October, he said Sunday.

Eramia was kicked in the shoulder in the saddling paddock prior to the first race Thursday night. The rider said he sustained two “very small” fractures in his right shoulder as a result of the incident. He has a doctor appointment on Oct. 4. If it goes well, Eramia anticipates being able to resume riding by Oct. 8.

Eramia is tied atop the Remington standings with Stewart Elliott with 25 wins. Eramia last rode Sept. 25 at Remington.