Z Rockstar, Okie Ride resume rivalry in Silver Goblin

The rematch is on – a year later.

Z Rockstar and Okie Ride finished in a dead heat for first in last year’s Silver Goblin at Remington Park, and they are back in Friday night’s renewal of the $50,000 stakes. The 6 1/2-furlong race is for 3-year-olds and up bred in Oklahoma.

Z Rockstar and Okie Ride utilized different running styles in last year’s Silver Goblin. Z Rockstar rallied from sixth place, while Okie Ride was up near the front for the entire race.

“I think it will be a very competitive race this year, not only with those two, but there are three or four others that can be right there, too,” said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains Z Rockstar. “I think a couple or three lengths might separate the bunch at the wire.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Z Rockstar (Last 3 Beyers: 90-91-91)

◗ He’s arguably in the midst of the best year of his career, with a pair of stakes wins among his four victories from 10 starts in 2014. He also owns a strong string of recent Beyer Speed Figures.

“Knock on wood, he’s a happy, healthy horse,” Von Hemel said.

◗ Z Rockstar will be cutting back to one turn after running second in the $155,000 Oklahoma Classics Cup at 1 1/16 mile at Remington Oct. 17, the same path he took to last year’s Silver Goblin.

“There will probably be some quicker than him the first part of the race,” Von Hemel said. “Hopefully, we’ll be close enough to get something done.”

◗ Luis Quinonez has the mount from the rail for owner-breeder Robert Zoellner.

◗ Z Rockstar would surpass $500,000 in career earnings with a win Friday.

Okie Ride (Last 3 Beyers: 90-78-76)

◗ He’s an eight-time stakes winner with two of those wins coming in the Silver Goblin, last year and in 2012.

◗ Okie Ride ran a big race in defeat last out, when he missed by a neck in the Oklahoma Classics Day Sprint on Oct. 17. Chifforobe, who won the race while covering six furlongs in 1:09.20, also returns in the Silver Goblin.

◗ Okie Ride will break from post 7 under Cliff Berry, who has the mount for trainer Kenneth Nolen.

There will be no turf racing for the remainder of the meet, which ends Dec. 14, the track announced.