Trout well stocked for Oklahoma Classics stakes
C.R. Trout will be fielding an outstanding team Friday night for the $1 million Oklahoma Classics program of eight stakes at Remington Park. He has Oklahoma Derby winner Shotgun Kowboy in the $175,000 Cup, multiple stakes winner Imahit in the $130,000 Sprint, the undefeated Slew Hunter in the $130,000 Distaff Sprint, and her half-brother, Bring It On Dude, in the $100,000 Juvenile.
Trout bred, owns, and trains all four horses. Programs like the Oklahoma Classics, which spotlight state breeding programs, are the cards Trout keys on with his stable. Last year, Imahit won his second Classics Cup, while Shotgun Kowboy accounted for the Juvenile.
“It just means everything to a breeder,” said Trout.
Shotgun Kowboy has been the star of the operation this year, taking the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby in his most recent out Sept. 27. He will face five others, including Z Rockstar, the runner-up in last year’s Classics Cup at 1 1/16 miles.
Trout has long targeted Friday night’s stakes with Shotgun Kowboy.
“He came out of the Oklahoma Derby just great,” Trout said. “This horse, I just can’t say enough good things about him. He’s just a blessing to have. He’s training good. He’s just as happy as he can be. He’s just full of himself.”
Shotgun Kowboy wired a field of 12 in the Oklahoma Derby and will be cutting back from 1 1/8 miles Friday. Cliff Berry has the mount from post 2. “We’ll just let Cliff do what he thinks,” Trout said. “If they don’t show any speed, we will. If they do, we’ll just sit off of them.”
Trout said with a good performance, Shotgun Kowboy could move back into open company for the Grade 1, $500,000 Clark Handicap on Nov. 27 at Churchill Downs.
“Or we could go to California and run in the Malibu,” said Trout, who is debating sending a division of horses to Santa Anita.
Z Rockstar will break from the rail Friday and could start as the second choice to Shotgun Kowboy, the probable odds-on favorite for his sharp form and last-race Beyer Speed Figure of 97.
“Trying to beat C.R.’s horse looks like a tall chore,” said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains Z Rockstar. “I think we’ll run good. Shotgun Kowboy showed in the Oklahoma Derby that he’s the real McCoy. We’ve got age and experience on our side, so we’ll just have to see.”
◗ Imahit will face Okie Ride in a competitive Sprint. Imahit was third in the $150,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup on Sept. 27. It will be his first start in the Classics Sprint.
“We thought we’d give him a shot in there,” Trout said. “He’s run second and third to Ivan Fallunovalot. He’s a pretty nice horse, and he’s going to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.”
◗ Bring It On Dude will be chasing his third straight win when he goes in the Juvenile. He’s getting back with statebreds after winning the $75,000 Kip Deville over Grade 3 Bashford Manor winner He’s Comin In Hot last month at Remington.
“He’s training fantastic,” Trout said. “He’s just a jewel to be around. He just enjoys what he does.”
◗ Heykittykittykitty enters the Distaff Sprint off a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland.
◗ Multiple stakes winner More Than Even is back on dirt for the $145,000 Distaff after running second in the Bob Barry in her turf debut Aug. 28 at Remington.
◗ Zeta Zody, who upset More Than Even in the Bob Barry, sticks to the grass in the $130,000 Distaff Turf.
◗ Rage Riot will attempt to win his fifth straight race in the $130,000 Turf, which also drew Perfect to Please.
◗ Go N Go will seek to remain undefeated in three starts in the $100,000 Lassie.