Shotgun Kowboy wins Oklahoma Classics Cup

Shotgun Kowboy has his sights set on next month’s Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs after defeating older rivals Friday night in the $175,000 Oklahoma Classics Cup at Remington Park. The race was the richest of eight stakes restricted to horses bred in Oklahoma. The card was worth more than $1 million.

Shotgun Kowboy, who last month won the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, will now be pointed for the Grade 1, $500,000 Clark Handicap on Nov. 27.

"That's what our goal is," said C.R. Trout, who bred, owns, and trains the horse.

Shotgun Kowboy ($2.20) was content to track the pace in the 1 1/16-mile Classics Cup, sitting off Z Rockstar through fractions of 23.80 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.65 for the half-mile, and 1:12.01 for six furlongs. Shotgun Kowboy overtook that one and increased his advantage through the stretch for a 2 3/4-length win.

“My horse broke sharp, and he settled off that horse perfectly,” said winning rider Cliff Berry. “He finished excellent.”

Shotgun Kowboy covered the distance on a track rated fast in 1:42.36. He gave Trout his third straight win in the Classics Cup, following back-to-back victories by Imahit.

Friday night’s win was the fifth career Classics Cup victory for Berry, who plans to retire in December. Earlier in the night, Berry won the $145,000 Distaff with More Than Even ($3). She wired the field for Doyle Williams and trainer Roger Engel.

Trout, like Berry, also had another stakes winner on the card, with his homebred Bring It On Dude ($2.40) rolling home by 4 1/2 lengths in the $100,000 Juvenile. Jareth Loveberry was aboard the horse, who covered six furlongs in 1:10.28.

Trout said Bring It On Dude will be considered for next month’s Clever Trevor but has a firm goal of the $250,000 Springboard Mile in December at Remington.

In other stakes action, Heykittykittykitty ($2.80) parlayed a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America to a payday in the $130,000 Distaff Sprint. She won by 1 1/4 lengths while covering six furlongs in 1:10.34. Didiel Osorio was aboard for Westrock Stables and trainer Ron Moquett.

• Okie Ride ($7.80) captured the $130,000 Sprint for the third time, darting to a 1 1/4-length win. He covered six furlongs in a sharp 1:09.30. Luis Quinonez was aboard for the Richter Family Trust and trainer Kenneth Nolen.

• Zeta Zody ($5.60) was a neck winner over Harpers Princess in the $130,000 Distaff Turf. Alex Birzer rode Zeta Zody for Al and Bill Ulwelling and trainer Michael Biehler.

• Another Bond Girl ($34.20) proved a neck best in the $100,000 Lassie. Glen Murphy was aboard for William Higgins and trainer Brent Davidson, who also co-owns Another Bond Girl.

• Ibaka ($44.40) upset the $130,000 Turf by two lengths over Perfect to Please. C.J. McMahon rode Ibaka for Doug Wall and trainer Bret Calhoun.