LOCAL CHAMPION 3YO FROM LAST YEAR, APOLLITICAL PENCE, WINS FIRST STAKES RACE OF 2020, CONTINUING HIS WINNING STREAK AT REMINGTON

OKLAHOMA CITY – March 7, 2020 – Apollitical Pence won Champion 3-year-old at Remington Park last year and he continued his winning streak to three in a row on the Opening Night of the 2020 season in Oklahoma City. The 4-year-old won the first stakes race of the meet – the $68,000 Mighty Deck Three.

Fortunately for his connections, this gelded son of Apollitical Jess, out of the Tres Seis mare Send City, was far enough ahead in the 250-yard race that a hiccup in the final 50 yards didn’t matter.

“We were in front by a full length halfway and then he got to looking at the lights,” jockey Ricky Ramirez said.

“We broke him in Lubbock (Texas) when he was young and he’s always been kind of wild here, seeing that big TV out there (the super screen in the infield),” added trainer Blane Wood.

Apollitical Pence stopped the timer in :13.056 seconds over a fast track for a speed index of 98 for the win. He paid $3.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.60 to show as the 4-5 favorite. He earned $37,800 for the victory and improved his record to 18 starts, eight wins, three seconds and three thirds for a lifetime bankroll of $656,745 for owners Dunn Ranch and Valeriano Racing Stables of Perryton, Texas.

“We got away good,” said Ramirez, “and he’s just a fast horse, the ultimate pro in the gate.”

Apollitical Pence finished a neck ahead of 27-1 longshot VF Jedi Returns and another nose in front of third-place finisher EOS A Political Win.

Last year, Apollitical Pence won his Heritage Place Derby trial with a 94 speed index and then went on to win the Grade 2, $367,750 final on June 1, for a 103, racing 400 yards in :19.46. Ramirez has been his rider in all his wins at Remington Park. He is now 4-for-5 over this track.

Last year’s Mighty Deck Three Stakes winner, Admiral Sting, was in this field Friday, but false broke into the gate before it opened. Once the gate was open, he walked out and made an immediate left turn, losing jockey Jimmy Brooks in the process. He was declared a starter by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission stewards.

Leading rider the past two years here, James Flores, won the final race of the night to record four wins on Opening Night. Trainer Dee Keener also scored four on the evening.

Racing resumes Saturday at Remington Park with a special post time of 4 p.m. set for a 12-race card of trials for the Grade 2 Oklahoma Futurity.

Remington Park is always open for casino gaming. Simulcast horse racing is offered daily. Admission, parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park. Guests must be 18 or older in order to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino.
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Tracked by more than 162,000 fans on Facebook and more than 10,100 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $242 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 presents the Grade 2 Oklahoma Futurity on Saturday, March 21. The 2020 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through May 30. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.