LIVEWIRES TURNPIKE REBOUNDS FROM TOUGH OKLAHOMA PAINT AND APPALOOSA FUTURITY TRIAL TO WIN JUVENILE

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok – March 22, 2022 – Remington Park leading rider Cody Smith knew he had something more than Livewires Turnpike showed in his career debut when they finished third in the Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity trials on March 4.

The 2-year-old gelded son of prolific sire CRM Livewire was tripped up in the early going of the trials and could only finish third, losing out on a chance to run in the big race. He showed that he might have made some noise in the futurity final when he won the first running of the $30,000 Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Juvenile as a consolation.

Smith, who has come out of the gates strong this meet with 12 wins in the early going, was the 4-5 favorite in the trials on Livewires Turnpike, and still managed to get up for third despite tons of trouble.

Smith’s 12 wins puts him four ahead of Jesus Salazar in second. The rest of the top five are rounded out by Francisco Calderon (seven), and four riders tied for fourth with six wins (Justine Klaiber, James Flores, Juan Pulido and Jorge Torres).

On Saturday night, Smith managed to rally Livewires Turnpike, getting the gelding rolling over the final half of the event to the win easily by 1-1/4 lengths at 5-1 odds. He hit the wire in :15.624 for 300 yards on a fast track and an 84 speed index. JS Docs Best Chicken (the 5-2 betting favorite) was second, followed by WL Van Halen, another nose behind at 3-1. Livewires Turnpike paid $12 to win, $5.80 to place and $4 to show.

Trainer Ty Blackwell sent Livewires Turnpike out for owner Bryan Hawk of Shawnee, Okla. He earned $12,738 for the victory, breaking his maiden in a stakes event. With two races under his belt, he now sits at two starts, one win and one third for $13,478 overall.

Livewires Turnpike was bred in Oklahoma by Nolan Pevehouse.

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Tracked by more than 168,000 fans on Facebook and 10,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $286 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 richest futurity for state-breds, the $925,000 (estimated) Remington Park Futurity on April 16. Simulcast horse racing is featured daily at Remington Park where the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.