Te Ata win on Lively Vision tops big day for Vazquez
Jockey Ramon Vazquez won five races Friday night at Remington Park, including the $50,000 Te Ata with Lively Vision. The stakes was one of two on the card, with Alpha and Omega winning the $50,000 Tishomingo after favorite Ibaka was scratched and rerouted to next weekend’s Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby.
Lively Vision ($5.80) was always prominent in the Te Ata, winning the Oklahoma-bred stakes for 3-year-old fillies by two lengths over Cheyenne Blues. She covered seven furlongs in 1:24.36. Lively Vision was part of a three-horse entry for Big Sugar Racing and trainer Tim Martin.
Vazquez’s string of winners started in the third race, with No Spin ($5.80). He proceeded to take the fourth with Mooch ($6.80), the fifth with Lively Vision, the sixth with Smart Cry ($6) and the final race on the program, the ninth, with Rah Rah Rachel ($6.20).
Vazquez now leads the standings at Remington.
In the Tishomingo for 3-year-old Oklahoma-breds, Alpha and Omega led throughout from his rail post for a 2 1/2-length win over Stormin Scat. He covered seven furlongs in 1:23.71. Luis Quinonez was aboard the winner for Robert Zoellner and trainer Donnie Von Hemel.
Oklahoma Derby taking shape
Ibaka, who has won his last five starts, was scratched from the Tishomingo and will be pointed for the Oklahoma Derby at Remington on Sept. 28, according to his trainer, Bret Calhoun. Calhoun said the horse was to work Saturday morning at Remington.
Calhoun also intends to start Louies Flower in the Oklahoma Derby. Winner of last year’s $250,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park, Louies Flower breezed Friday at Louisiana Downs and is scheduled to ship to Remington on Monday, Calhoun said.
Grade 2 winner Wildcat Red is the probable Oklahoma Derby favorite. He arrived from Florida for the race Wednesday afternoon. Remington officials on Friday night released a working list of possible starters for the Oklahoma Derby, with the group of 12 prospects also including: Bay of Biscay, Charge Now, Declan’s Fast Cat, Edison, Even Echo, Jessica’s Star, Rebranded, Tonito M and Tulum.
There were 35 nominees to the 1 1/8-mile race, which will anchor a Sunday afternoon card that also includes the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks and the $150,000 Remington Park Sprint.