|
Courtesy Remington Park Media Relations
Photos: Dustin Orona, Reed Palmer & Associates
Country Chicks Man works stallion duty in his off-season from the race track, handling the duty for the past two years. He has also returned to racing after such service, coming back both times in the $100,000 Sooner State Stakes at Remington Park, a race he has dominated now for four consecutive renewals.
The 2008 version of the restricted-Grade 1 Sooner State at 400 yards was conducted Saturday night with Country Chicks Man breaking like a rocket from the number-one post position in the field of seven. While the 7-year-old red horse had a solid lead past the halfway point, he did have to hang on to his fourth straight win in the race.
Owned by the Rafter SM Ranch of Wagoner, Okla. and trained by Sparky Mullins, Country Chicks Man won the photo-finish by a nose over Chances Are I Will. Under regular jockey G.R. Carter, Country Chicks Man crossed the finish in :19.75 over the fast track.
The close finish was something that concerned Mullins in his star horse’s return to racing.
“I was afraid he would get tired. He has had a hard spring at the breeding farm,” Mullins pointed out. “The aqua-treadmill has been broken so I haven’t been able to train him the way I usually do. He broke like he always does and did his job.”
The superb start was enough of an edge for Country Chicks Man and Carter, who relished the opportunity to ride the two-time Remington Park Horse of the Meeting (2005, 2007) once again.
“Chicks Man still has it away from the gate, he just got a little tired on the end,” Carter said. “This race will tighten him up for next time. He is so much fun to ride away from the gate.”
The ‘next time’ for Country Chicks Man is expected to be in the $150,000 Remington Park Championship on June 1. A race he won last year en route to his top season accolades.
The 7-5 wagering favorite, Country Chicks Man paid $4.80 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Chances Are I Will paid $7.20 to place and $4.20 to show. Bullions N Garters was there for third and a $2.60 show payoff.
The winner’s check of $52,500 pushes Country Chicks Man’s career earnings to $720,293. An Oklahoma-bred horse by Chicks Beduino from the Zevi mare Country Zevi, Country Chicks Man won his 13th race from 35 attempts. He has won 10 races at Remington Park, four of those in Sooner State Stakes races. He becomes the first to win the race for Oklahoma-bred four times.
Courtesy Remington Park Media Relations
Photos: Dustin Orona, Reed Palmer & Associates
Top of page
|
