CANDY BLOOD BRINGS HOME DEE RAPER SOONER STATE STAKES TROPHY
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – April 18, 2022 – It seemed somewhat apropos that a horse named Candy Blood would win the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes where all the horses wore crimson saddle cloths.
It was a tribute to Raper, who ran Belle Mere Farm in Norman, Okla., and was an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan before passing away in 2020. Dee and wife Betty stood the legendary Easy Jet as a stallion at one time. So, to see a horse named Candy Blood win the restricted Grade 1, $100,000 Sooner State Stakes in a red saddle cloth seemed pre-destined.
Raper was inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2010 and into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame at Remington Park in 2012. Dee and wife Betty stood the legendary Easy Jet as a stallion at one time and produced many great horses through the years.
Candy Blood a 4-year-old gelding by Apollitical Blood, out of the Wave Carver mare Ranch Candy, outlasted one of the toughest fields of 3-year-olds and older this meet. He outlasted JK Wildcat Red to the wire by a neck. The winner, owned by Rick Sumner and Dunn Ranch (Matt Dunn) of Wynnewood, Okla., is trained by Monty Arrossa and was ridden to victory by Francisco Calderon.
Candy Blood is a three-time stakes winner, taking the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes for Oklahoma-breds, the $15,000 Z Wayne Griffin Directors Handicap and the $20,000 Holiday Handicap, both at Los Alamitos in California. He has had brushes with success in much larger races, however. In 2020, he won his Heritage Place Futurity trial and then ran fourth in the finals. He also won an All American Futurity trial but did not have a fast enough time to qualify for the finals. He went into the All American Juvenile Stakes and finished fourth in that stakes. In his 3-year-old year, Candy Blood won his Remington Park Derby trial, only to finish second by a neck in the $356,000 Derby final, losing to one of the most impressive 3-year-olds in the country, Empressum. Candy Blood went on to win an All American Derby trial and was the third-place finisher in the $929,000 finals.
Saturday night’s Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes win was his debut as a 4-year-old. Candy Blood was easily the most active horse in the paddock before the race, kicking and jumping, ready to run.
“That horse will keep you on your toes,” said Arrossa. “Every day is a new day with him. He has a lot of energy and is sometimes his own worst enemy. We were fortunate tonight that he channeled it into the race.”
Candy Blood stopped the timer in the Sooner State at 400 yards in :19.589 on a fast track. That compared to Dreamsville, a 3-year-old, in the Remington Park Derby at :19.460. Candy Blood was bred in Oklahoma by Sumner.
Leaving the gate as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite, Candy Blood proved his worth. JK Wildcat Red gave it his all, but could only get within a neck at the finish at 22-1 odds. JC Wild King, a multiple stakes winner, was third at 3-1 odds, another head behind in the photo finish.
The remaining order of finish in the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes was Presidential Embrace (4th), O Donovan Rossa (5th), XF Wingman (6th) Apollitical Gold (7th) Its the Whiskey (8th) and BP Primetime (9th).
Candy Blood earned $57,600 from the purse and improved his record to 18 starts, nine wins, three seconds and one third for $477,475 in earnings.
It was the first win in the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes for all connections.
•••••
Tracked by more than 168,000 fans on Facebook and 10,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $288 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park will feature the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity and the $250,000 Debbie Schauf Remington Park Championship on May 28. Simulcast horse is racing featured daily at Remington Park where the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
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The OQHRA Stallion Auction closes today at noon! Don’t miss out! ... ’Expand’See Less
CATHEY ACCEPTS DIRECTOR OF RACING HELM AT REMINGTON PARK
OKLAHOMA CITY – When 2023 racing begins at Remington Park, it will start with new guidance in the racing department. Kelly Cathey has accepted the director of racing position and will oversee the operation for all breeds competing at the Oklahoma City facility.
The American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season will begin March 9. The 2023 Thoroughbred Season will get underway in late August.
Cathey brings more than 30 years of experience in horse racing to Remington Park. He first worked with horses in the late 1980s as a teenager, assisting his father who was a trainer. He has also served as a groom, pony person, assistant trainer, valet and assistant starter.
Cathey moved into track management in 1998 at Retama Park in Selma, Texas. He has also worked for Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas; Sam Houston Race Park in Houston and Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla. He has held nearly every position associated with racing, pari-mutuel wagering and simulcast operations throughout his career.
Since 2013 Cathey has worked for the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission as a state steward (2013-2015), advancing to the role of executive director of the commission in 2015. He will leave that post to become the director of racing at Remington Park.
“Remington Park and Global Gaming are excited to have Kelly Cathey join our racing team,” said Matt Vance, executive vice president of racing operations at Remington Park. “Kelly has a resume reflective of more than 30 years in the sport, working as a racing executive and regulator. His extensive experience with both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses and their respective organizations throughout the region makes him uniquely qualified to lead our racing department at Remington Park.”
Horsemen will bring horses onto the grounds at Remington Park beginning Feb. 6 with the initial morning of training set for Tuesday, Feb. 7. The first night of the spring season falls on Thursday, March 9 and the 50-date schedule continues through Saturday, June 3. ... ’Expand’See Less
It continues to be the goal of Remington Park and OQHRA to provide a race meeting of the highest quality and integrity. As a condition of entry, no horse will be allowed to enter a race at Remington Park unless results of a negative hair test have been provided to Remington Park prior to entry. All pre-entry hair testing will be facilitated by OQHRA. Pre-entry hair tests will be good for 90 days beginning the day after the sample is collected. All tests will expire after 90 days and horses must re-test to remain eligible, regardless of if the horse started in a race within those 90 days. In no event will a horse be eligible to enter a race unless a current negative hair test is on file at Remington Park in accordance with the conditions set forth in the condition book. The Remington Park Racing Office nor OQHRA staff receive the results of hair testing. All test results submitted to Remington Park management will remain confidential. Any horse receiving a positive hair test will be unable to enter until a negative test is obtained, there is no penalty to the trainer.
To better serve horsemen, OQHRA will be setting up offsite testing days at Retama Park, Lone Star Park and Blue Ribbon Downs. The OQHRA testing crew will be available at each location one day, allowing horsemen the opportunity to get horses tested closer to where they are stabled/training. Horses needing to be tested in other states do have the opportunity to have an offsite test done by a state veterinarian working under the auspices of a State Regulatory Agency.
𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 – 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟱𝘁𝗵 Appointments should be made by 2/2/23 by calling (405) 881-5120. Cost of test - $275. These tests will expire on Sunday, May 7, 2023. T̲a̲t̲t̲o̲o̲e̲r̲ w̲i̲l̲l̲ b̲e̲ o̲n̲ s̲i̲t̲e̲ a̲s̲ w̲e̲l̲l̲,̲ a̲p̲p̲o̲i̲n̲t̲m̲e̲n̲t̲s̲ c̲a̲n̲ b̲e̲ m̲a̲d̲e̲ b̲y̲ c̲a̲l̲l̲i̲n̲g̲ h̲a̲i̲r̲ t̲e̲s̲t̲i̲n̲g̲ l̲i̲n̲e̲.̲
𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 – 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 Please call ASAP to sign up for this date/location must have a minimum of 40 horses scheduled. (405) 881-5120. Cost of test - $275. These tests will expire on May 26, 2023 T̲a̲t̲t̲o̲o̲e̲r̲ w̲i̲l̲l̲ b̲e̲ o̲n̲ s̲i̲t̲e̲ a̲s̲ w̲e̲l̲l̲,̲ a̲p̲p̲o̲i̲n̲t̲m̲e̲n̲t̲s̲ c̲a̲n̲ b̲e̲ m̲a̲d̲e̲ b̲y̲ c̲a̲l̲l̲i̲n̲g̲ h̲a̲i̲r̲ t̲e̲s̲t̲i̲n̲g̲ l̲i̲n̲e̲.̲
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 – 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟯𝗿𝗱 Appointments should be made by 3/1/2023 by calling (405) 881-5120. Cost of test - $225. These tests will expire June 2, 2023
𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 – 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆. Onsite testing during February will be conducted 9:00 – noon, Monday through Friday beginning Wednesday, February 8th. There will be no Hair Testing on Tuesday, February 14th or Friday, February 24th. Tests done in February will expire before the end of the meet. Please review the schedule and test/safe dates posted on OQHRA.com and plan accordingly. Onsite test cost $225.
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒕𝒆𝒙𝒕/𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒕 (405) 881-5120. Full schedule and details can be found at www.oqhra.com
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CANDY BLOOD BRINGS HOME DEE RAPER SOONER STATE STAKES TROPHY
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – April 18, 2022 – It seemed somewhat apropos that a horse named Candy Blood would win the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes where all the horses wore crimson saddle cloths.
It was a tribute to Raper, who ran Belle Mere Farm in Norman, Okla., and was an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan before passing away in 2020. Dee and wife Betty stood the legendary Easy Jet as a stallion at one time. So, to see a horse named Candy Blood win the restricted Grade 1, $100,000 Sooner State Stakes in a red saddle cloth seemed pre-destined.
Raper was inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2010 and into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame at Remington Park in 2012. Dee and wife Betty stood the legendary Easy Jet as a stallion at one time and produced many great horses through the years.
Candy Blood is a three-time stakes winner, taking the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes for Oklahoma-breds, the $15,000 Z Wayne Griffin Directors Handicap and the $20,000 Holiday Handicap, both at Los Alamitos in California. He has had brushes with success in much larger races, however. In 2020, he won his Heritage Place Futurity trial and then ran fourth in the finals. He also won an All American Futurity trial but did not have a fast enough time to qualify for the finals. He went into the All American Juvenile Stakes and finished fourth in that stakes. In his 3-year-old year, Candy Blood won his Remington Park Derby trial, only to finish second by a neck in the $356,000 Derby final, losing to one of the most impressive 3-year-olds in the country, Empressum. Candy Blood went on to win an All American Derby trial and was the third-place finisher in the $929,000 finals.
Saturday night’s Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes win was his debut as a 4-year-old. Candy Blood was easily the most active horse in the paddock before the race, kicking and jumping, ready to run.
Candy Blood stopped the timer in the Sooner State at 400 yards in :19.589 on a fast track. That compared to Dreamsville, a 3-year-old, in the Remington Park Derby at :19.460. Candy Blood was bred in Oklahoma by Sumner.
Leaving the gate as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite, Candy Blood proved his worth. JK Wildcat Red gave it his all, but could only get within a neck at the finish at 22-1 odds. JC Wild King, a multiple stakes winner, was third at 3-1 odds, another head behind in the photo finish.
The remaining order of finish in the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes was Presidential Embrace (4th), O Donovan Rossa (5th), XF Wingman (6th) Apollitical Gold (7th) Its the Whiskey (8th) and BP Primetime (9th).
Candy Blood earned $57,600 from the purse and improved his record to 18 starts, nine wins, three seconds and one third for $477,475 in earnings.
It was the first win in the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes for all connections.
•••••
Tracked by more than 168,000 fans on Facebook and 10,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $288 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park will feature the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity and the $250,000 Debbie Schauf Remington Park Championship on May 28. Simulcast horse is racing featured daily at Remington Park where the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
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The OQHRA Stallion Auction closes today at noon! Don’t miss out! ... ’Expand’See Less
2 days ago
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CATHEY ACCEPTS DIRECTOR OF RACING HELM AT REMINGTON PARK
OKLAHOMA CITY – When 2023 racing begins at Remington Park, it will start with new guidance in the racing department. Kelly Cathey has accepted the director of racing position and will oversee the operation for all breeds competing at the Oklahoma City facility.
The American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season will begin March 9. The 2023 Thoroughbred Season will get underway in late August.
Cathey brings more than 30 years of experience in horse racing to Remington Park. He first worked with horses in the late 1980s as a teenager, assisting his father who was a trainer. He has also served as a groom, pony person, assistant trainer, valet and assistant starter.
Cathey moved into track management in 1998 at Retama Park in Selma, Texas. He has also worked for Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas; Sam Houston Race Park in Houston and Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla. He has held nearly every position associated with racing, pari-mutuel wagering and simulcast operations throughout his career.
Since 2013 Cathey has worked for the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission as a state steward (2013-2015), advancing to the role of executive director of the commission in 2015. He will leave that post to become the director of racing at Remington Park.
“Remington Park and Global Gaming are excited to have Kelly Cathey join our racing team,” said Matt Vance, executive vice president of racing operations at Remington Park. “Kelly has a resume reflective of more than 30 years in the sport, working as a racing executive and regulator. His extensive experience with both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses and their respective organizations throughout the region makes him uniquely qualified to lead our racing department at Remington Park.”
Horsemen will bring horses onto the grounds at Remington Park beginning Feb. 6 with the initial morning of training set for Tuesday, Feb. 7. The first night of the spring season falls on Thursday, March 9 and the 50-date schedule continues through Saturday, June 3. ... ’Expand’See Less
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R̳e̳m̳i̳n̳g̳t̳o̳n̳ P̳a̳r̳k̳ H̳a̳i̳r̳ T̳e̳s̳t̳i̳n̳g̳ I̳n̳f̳o̳r̳m̳a̳t̳i̳o̳n̳
It continues to be the goal of Remington Park and OQHRA to provide a race meeting of the highest quality and integrity. As a condition of entry, no horse will be allowed to enter a race at Remington Park unless results of a negative hair test have been provided to Remington Park prior to entry. All pre-entry hair testing will be facilitated by OQHRA. Pre-entry hair tests will be good for 90 days beginning the day after the sample is collected. All tests will expire after 90 days and horses must re-test to remain eligible, regardless of if the horse started in a race within those 90 days. In no event will a horse be eligible to enter a race unless a current negative hair test is on file at Remington Park in accordance with the conditions set forth in the condition book. The Remington Park Racing Office nor OQHRA staff receive the results of hair testing. All test results submitted to Remington Park management will remain confidential. Any horse receiving a positive hair test will be unable to enter until a negative test is obtained, there is no penalty to the trainer.
To better serve horsemen, OQHRA will be setting up offsite testing days at Retama Park, Lone Star Park and Blue Ribbon Downs. The OQHRA testing crew will be available at each location one day, allowing horsemen the opportunity to get horses tested closer to where they are stabled/training. Horses needing to be tested in other states do have the opportunity to have an offsite test done by a state veterinarian working under the auspices of a State Regulatory Agency.
𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 – 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟱𝘁𝗵
Appointments should be made by 2/2/23 by calling (405) 881-5120. Cost of test - $275. These tests will expire on Sunday, May 7, 2023. T̲a̲t̲t̲o̲o̲e̲r̲ w̲i̲l̲l̲ b̲e̲ o̲n̲ s̲i̲t̲e̲ a̲s̲ w̲e̲l̲l̲,̲ a̲p̲p̲o̲i̲n̲t̲m̲e̲n̲t̲s̲ c̲a̲n̲ b̲e̲ m̲a̲d̲e̲ b̲y̲ c̲a̲l̲l̲i̲n̲g̲ h̲a̲i̲r̲ t̲e̲s̲t̲i̲n̲g̲ l̲i̲n̲e̲.̲
𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 – 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵
Please call ASAP to sign up for this date/location must have a minimum of 40 horses scheduled. (405) 881-5120. Cost of test - $275. These tests will expire on May 26, 2023
T̲a̲t̲t̲o̲o̲e̲r̲ w̲i̲l̲l̲ b̲e̲ o̲n̲ s̲i̲t̲e̲ a̲s̲ w̲e̲l̲l̲,̲ a̲p̲p̲o̲i̲n̲t̲m̲e̲n̲t̲s̲ c̲a̲n̲ b̲e̲ m̲a̲d̲e̲ b̲y̲ c̲a̲l̲l̲i̲n̲g̲ h̲a̲i̲r̲ t̲e̲s̲t̲i̲n̲g̲ l̲i̲n̲e̲.̲
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 – 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟯𝗿𝗱
Appointments should be made by 3/1/2023 by calling (405) 881-5120. Cost of test - $225. These tests will expire June 2, 2023
𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 – 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆.
Onsite testing during February will be conducted 9:00 – noon, Monday through Friday beginning Wednesday, February 8th. There will be no Hair Testing on Tuesday, February 14th or Friday, February 24th. Tests done in February will expire before the end of the meet. Please review the schedule and test/safe dates posted on OQHRA.com and plan accordingly. Onsite test cost $225.
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒕𝒆𝒙𝒕/𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒕 (405) 881-5120. Full schedule and details can be found at www.oqhra.com
*𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒, 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠 (𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘) 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑒𝑑, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛. ... ’Expand’See Less
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