Voladora tries to go out in style at Remington

Voladora, a career winner of $546,622 who has spent much of the past three years ruling the Oklahoma filly and mare division, is expected to make the final start of her career in the $40,000 Ada Handicap at Remington Park in Oklahoma City on Sunday.

In order to go out a winner in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, Voladora will have to beat her successor, Devout Sinner. A 3-year-old, Devout Sinner has defeated Voladora in their two meetings this year, first winning the $25,000 Black Mesa Handicap on Sept. 30, and then the $50,000 Oklahoma Classics Day Distaff on Oct. 21.

"Devout Sinner is the horse to beat," said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains Voladora. "But the distance and weights may allow us to turn the tables on her."

Voladora spotted Devout Sinner eight pounds in the mile and 70-yard Distaff. For the Ada, Voladora will carry just three more pounds than Devout Sinner.

Under the direction of owner-trainer Joan Charlton, Devout Sinner has developed into an impressive athlete. "She's very versatile," said Charlton, who has saddled the filly to wins around one and two turns, as well as a stakes-placing on turf. Jockey Cliff Berry will be aboard Sunday, while Kevin Cogburn has the mount on Voladora.

Von Hemel, who has trained Voladora since March, said he will miss her when she leaves for the breeding shed. "She's a complete joy to be around," said Von Hemel, who has shared training duties with Danny Mirabal and H.B.Johnson. Voladora, who has won 20 races, competes for her breeder, George Kleier.

* Remington Park will drop its small spring Thoroughbred meet next year in favor of a longer fall session that will run 102 days, from Aug. 3 to Dec. 23. The Oklahoma Racing Commission granted the track's request to change its calendar during a lengthy meeting Thursday.

In other allotments, the commission awarded Will Rogers Downs near Tulsa a 12-day Thoroughbred season, which will run weekends Nov. 1-24. The meet, which last year was in the spring, will overlap with Remington, but all should remain amicable because the commission also approved a management contract between the tracks whereby the Magna-owned Remington will oversee racing operations at Will Rogers for 2002.

Remington also will run a 34-day Quarter Horse meet next year from April 5 to June 8. Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw was awarded an 84-day mixed meet from Feb. 2 to Nov. 24, while Fair Meadows in Tulsa will put on 33 days of mixed racing from June 3 to Aug. 3.

In other action, the commission approved an agreement between Remington and the Oklahoma Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association that allows for up to $450,000 in overpayment of purses at the track's current Thoroughbred meet (through Nov. 24). The board also voted to seek an opinion from the state attorney general on whether account wagering is legal.