MEET FULL OF FIRSTS AT REMINGTON PARK CONTINUES AS CLAIM BOX SETS RECORDS, 18-YO JOCKEY, RANDY VEGA, WINS FOR FIRST TIME
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22, 2021 – It has been a season of firsts at Remington Park and that continued Friday, as an 18-year-old jockey won for the first time in his career and the claims box money surpassed $2 million for the first time in an American Quarter Horse meet here.
Jockey Randy Vega, 18, of Tulsa, Okla., won the second race of the night in the 23rd start of his career, booting home Strawberry Mangarita for the victory in a 400-yard maiden claiming race for a $7,500 tag. His fellow riders, a couple old enough to be his grandfather, made sure it would be a memorable night for the young jockey who went to Union High School in his hometown.
“Yeah, I have a fresh cut,” Vega said of his return to the jockeys’ quarters. “They shaved the back of my head.”
It is traditional for jockeys to welcome first-time winners with such things as shaving cream and eggs when they return to the room. Vega got to the wire aboard the 3-year-old gray gelding, Strawberry Mangarita, three-quarters of a length ahead of the 6-5 wagering favorite Game Gone West. He hit the wire in :20.684 over the fast track, good for a 65 speed index.
“It felt good,” said Vega, who is no relation to Jose Vega, another rider at Remington Park. “It was about time I won one.”
Randy Vega began his riding career last year, getting aboard horses nine times last fall at the Will Rogers Downs meet in Claremore, Okla. His best finish in his first year was a couple of fourth-place runners, Prized Radio Flyer on Nov. 6, 2020 and La Plumita on Halloween. His riding career had only begun the day before on Oct. 30 when he finished sixth in his first ever race. He had started aboard horses 14 times before winning at Remington Park this spring. Prior to that, Vega had run second twice, once aboard this same horse, Strawberry Mangarita, on April 29, and also on Laynis Catching Zees on April 23.
Claiming Record
Every racing season, horsemen claim (buy) horses out of claiming races when a horse is entered for a tag. Claiming prices for the Quarter Horse meet range from $5,000 to $50,000 in optional races. During this meet, with five racing days remaining, horsemen have dished out $2,062,500 to buy horses out of races. It is the first time the total has vaulted $2 million for this meet. That total was accumulated with 195 claims.
In comparison to past years, the highest number of claims for Quarter Horses was $1.25 million in 2020. That was a record then. If you go back to 2017, the horsemen didn’t even reach $1 million that year with $950,000 in claims.
The Thoroughbred horsemen have had more claims in numbers and in dollars. The high Thoroughbred numbers were 236 claims in 2018 for $2,395,000 in total amount, both records. The Thoroughbred horsemen have gone past $2.3 million in claims three times, in 2018, 2017 ($2,377,000) and 2014 ($2,388,750).
There were eight claims Friday night by the Quarter Horse connections for a total of $115,000 paid for those horses to come to new barns. One of those claimed was Vega’s winner Strawberry Mangarita. It is now up to new owner Javier Alvarez and new trainer Harvey Baeza as to whether Vega retains that mount next time the horse races.
Remington Park racing continues on Saturday and Sunday, May 22 & 23. Stakes action is set for Saturday night with two divisions of the FL Lady Bug Stakes, the Jack Brooks Stakes and the Boyd Morris Memorial. The first race nightly is 6pm-Central.
•••••
Tracked by more than 167,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $261 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 is home to the $1.3 million Heritage Place Futurity on the Night of Champions, Saturday, May 29, the final evening of the American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season. The casino is always open. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
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Fair Meadows Overnight Wednesday, July 16: bit.ly/FMT-071625 *(𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝟷 & 𝟸 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙷𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚜)* Post time 6:00PM ... ’Expand’See Less
The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission has discontinued processing award deductions for the transfer of ownership on OK Bred registered horses. You will need to submit your Transfer of Ownership application, W-9 (these are required annually), with a check, money order, or completed credit card authorization form, as well as a copy of the horse’s breed registration certificate, to update our records and have the award released.
You have one year from the date of the race to collect your award.
You can send your documents or any questions to the OKB Registry Department at OKBRED@OHRC.OK.GOV. ... ’Expand’See Less
In partnership with the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA), all Oklahoma racetracks—Remington Park, Fair Meadows at Tulsa, and Will Rogers Downs—have announced expanded hair testing measures for the 2026 Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa race meets. While pre-entry hair testing has been a condition of entry since 2018, the updated policy builds on that foundation by introducing new layers of accountability and a unified approach across all tracks.
“We are expanding our integrity efforts and working to hold everyone accountable for the horses in their care,” said Krissy Bamberg, Executive Director of OQHRA. “This is a collective effort among all Oklahoma tracks to protect the integrity of the sport and the welfare of the horse.”
The 2026 updates include a new provision that will exclude any trainer from participating at Oklahoma tracks for the remainder of a meet if three or more horses in their care test positive through official pre-entry hair tests for any prohibited substance. In addition, any owner with three or more positive tests during the meet will also be deemed ineligible to participate for the remainder of that meet.
Another upgrade to the policy is the expansion of unofficial testing. This informational hair-testing option will be available beginning with the fall yearling sales. These test kits can be requested through OQHRA. The hair samples can be collected by the owner or trainer and submitted to the lab for testing; results of these unofficial tests will not be considered official for entry purposes, but they will allow owners or trainers who have acquired horses from other barns to voluntarily test them in advance of entry to ensure they are clear of prohibited substances. It offers peace of mind, particularly before making financial commitments such as nomination fees, training investments, or early race preparations. It is important to note that many Sale Companies offer hair testing as a buyer protection within 24 hours of the sale; buyers are encouraged to contact the sales companies about the options available.
“Integrity is the backbone of everything we do,” said Matt Vance, Executive Vice President at Remington Park. “These policies help preserve the integrity of the sport by holding those who choose not to play by the rules accountable. We are proud to work with other Oklahoma tracks and OQHRA to lead the way in promoting fair competition in Quarter Horse racing.”
The core hair testing requirement remains in place: every Quarter Horse, Paint, or Appaloosa must submit to a one-time, pre-entry hair test before starting at any Oklahoma track. Official test results are sent directly to the racetrack, and positive results will lead to exclusion for the duration of that meet. These exclusions are track-specific only and do not constitute regulatory suspensions; participants remain eligible at other tracks unless a separate jurisdiction elects to take action. All horses with official positive tests will be listed publicly at www.OQHRA.com, and test results may be shared with other jurisdictions upon request.
To make the process easier for horsemen, farm visits for hair testing will be available in January and early February for Oklahoma-based trainers with 40 or more horses.
All details of the 2026 hair testing policy, including the unofficial testing option, are available at www.OQHRA.com or by calling (405) 881-5120. ... ’Expand’See Less
Won't matter Justin is so far ahead of the tracks, everyone knows you can't win a big race without the JRJ.
Thank you,
However we have got to get the results back presale from these yearlings sales at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino select sale and the New Mexico bred.
The Texas Quarter Horse sale needs it as well.
Oklahoma QHRA should at least mandate that the horse that are breeders and fitters are marketing for it be tested pre sale date with the horse .
Think of how Heritage Place would not want any part of a horse owner wanting his money back on a horse he bought from similar to large sale horse provider like the Flag Ranches size.
He would have to choose to do the right thing and force the return of the large ranch for illegal substances.
If we could get one sale barn to step up and require this
, we would owe it to them to get the others to follow suit to with the presale testing.
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MEET FULL OF FIRSTS AT REMINGTON PARK CONTINUES AS CLAIM BOX SETS RECORDS, 18-YO JOCKEY, RANDY VEGA, WINS FOR FIRST TIME
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22, 2021 – It has been a season of firsts at Remington Park and that continued Friday, as an 18-year-old jockey won for the first time in his career and the claims box money surpassed $2 million for the first time in an American Quarter Horse meet here.
Jockey Randy Vega, 18, of Tulsa, Okla., won the second race of the night in the 23rd start of his career, booting home Strawberry Mangarita for the victory in a 400-yard maiden claiming race for a $7,500 tag. His fellow riders, a couple old enough to be his grandfather, made sure it would be a memorable night for the young jockey who went to Union High School in his hometown.
It is traditional for jockeys to welcome first-time winners with such things as shaving cream and eggs when they return to the room. Vega got to the wire aboard the 3-year-old gray gelding, Strawberry Mangarita, three-quarters of a length ahead of the 6-5 wagering favorite Game Gone West. He hit the wire in :20.684 over the fast track, good for a 65 speed index.
Randy Vega began his riding career last year, getting aboard horses nine times last fall at the Will Rogers Downs meet in Claremore, Okla. His best finish in his first year was a couple of fourth-place runners, Prized Radio Flyer on Nov. 6, 2020 and La Plumita on Halloween. His riding career had only begun the day before on Oct. 30 when he finished sixth in his first ever race. He had started aboard horses 14 times before winning at Remington Park this spring. Prior to that, Vega had run second twice, once aboard this same horse, Strawberry Mangarita, on April 29, and also on Laynis Catching Zees on April 23.
Claiming Record
Every racing season, horsemen claim (buy) horses out of claiming races when a horse is entered for a tag. Claiming prices for the Quarter Horse meet range from $5,000 to $50,000 in optional races. During this meet, with five racing days remaining, horsemen have dished out $2,062,500 to buy horses out of races. It is the first time the total has vaulted $2 million for this meet. That total was accumulated with 195 claims.
In comparison to past years, the highest number of claims for Quarter Horses was $1.25 million in 2020. That was a record then. If you go back to 2017, the horsemen didn’t even reach $1 million that year with $950,000 in claims.
The Thoroughbred horsemen have had more claims in numbers and in dollars. The high Thoroughbred numbers were 236 claims in 2018 for $2,395,000 in total amount, both records. The Thoroughbred horsemen have gone past $2.3 million in claims three times, in 2018, 2017 ($2,377,000) and 2014 ($2,388,750).
There were eight claims Friday night by the Quarter Horse connections for a total of $115,000 paid for those horses to come to new barns. One of those claimed was Vega’s winner Strawberry Mangarita. It is now up to new owner Javier Alvarez and new trainer Harvey Baeza as to whether Vega retains that mount next time the horse races.
Remington Park racing continues on Saturday and Sunday, May 22 & 23. Stakes action is set for Saturday night with two divisions of the FL Lady Bug Stakes, the Jack Brooks Stakes and the Boyd Morris Memorial. The first race nightly is 6pm-Central.
•••••
Tracked by more than 167,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $261 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 is home to the $1.3 million Heritage Place Futurity on the Night of Champions, Saturday, May 29, the final evening of the American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season. The casino is always open. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
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Fair Meadows Overnight
Wednesday, July 16: bit.ly/FMT-071625
*(𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝟷 & 𝟸 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙷𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚜)*
Post time 6:00PM ... ’Expand’See Less
14 hours ago
Comment on Facebook
The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission has discontinued processing award deductions for the transfer of ownership on OK Bred registered horses. You will need to submit your Transfer of Ownership application, W-9 (these are required annually), with a check, money order, or completed credit card authorization form, as well as a copy of the horse’s breed registration certificate, to update our records and have the award released.
You have one year from the date of the race to collect your award.
You can send your documents or any questions to the OKB Registry Department at OKBRED@OHRC.OK.GOV. ... ’Expand’See Less
21 hours ago
Comment on Facebook
𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐫-𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲
In partnership with the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA), all Oklahoma racetracks—Remington Park, Fair Meadows at Tulsa, and Will Rogers Downs—have announced expanded hair testing measures for the 2026 Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa race meets. While pre-entry hair testing has been a condition of entry since 2018, the updated policy builds on that foundation by introducing new layers of accountability and a unified approach across all tracks.
“We are expanding our integrity efforts and working to hold everyone accountable for the horses in their care,” said Krissy Bamberg, Executive Director of OQHRA. “This is a collective effort among all Oklahoma tracks to protect the integrity of the sport and the welfare of the horse.”
The 2026 updates include a new provision that will exclude any trainer from participating at Oklahoma tracks for the remainder of a meet if three or more horses in their care test positive through official pre-entry hair tests for any prohibited substance. In addition, any owner with three or more positive tests during the meet will also be deemed ineligible to participate for the remainder of that meet.
Another upgrade to the policy is the expansion of unofficial testing. This informational hair-testing option will be available beginning with the fall yearling sales. These test kits can be requested through OQHRA. The hair samples can be collected by the owner or trainer and submitted to the lab for testing; results of these unofficial tests will not be considered official for entry purposes, but they will allow owners or trainers who have acquired horses from other barns to voluntarily test them in advance of entry to ensure they are clear of prohibited substances. It offers peace of mind, particularly before making financial commitments such as nomination fees, training investments, or early race preparations. It is important to note that many Sale Companies offer hair testing as a buyer protection within 24 hours of the sale; buyers are encouraged to contact the sales companies about the options available.
“Integrity is the backbone of everything we do,” said Matt Vance, Executive Vice President at Remington Park. “These policies help preserve the integrity of the sport by holding those who choose not to play by the rules accountable. We are proud to work with other Oklahoma tracks and OQHRA to lead the way in promoting fair competition in Quarter Horse racing.”
The core hair testing requirement remains in place: every Quarter Horse, Paint, or Appaloosa must submit to a one-time, pre-entry hair test before starting at any Oklahoma track. Official test results are sent directly to the racetrack, and positive results will lead to exclusion for the duration of that meet. These exclusions are track-specific only and do not constitute regulatory suspensions; participants remain eligible at other tracks unless a separate jurisdiction elects to take action. All horses with official positive tests will be listed publicly at www.OQHRA.com, and test results may be shared with other jurisdictions upon request.
To make the process easier for horsemen, farm visits for hair testing will be available in January and early February for Oklahoma-based trainers with 40 or more horses.
All details of the 2026 hair testing policy, including the unofficial testing option, are available at www.OQHRA.com or by calling (405) 881-5120. ... ’Expand’See Less
2 days ago
Comment on Facebook
Won't matter Justin is so far ahead of the tracks, everyone knows you can't win a big race without the JRJ.
Thank you, However we have got to get the results back presale from these yearlings sales at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino select sale and the New Mexico bred. The Texas Quarter Horse sale needs it as well. Oklahoma QHRA should at least mandate that the horse that are breeders and fitters are marketing for it be tested pre sale date with the horse . Think of how Heritage Place would not want any part of a horse owner wanting his money back on a horse he bought from similar to large sale horse provider like the Flag Ranches size. He would have to choose to do the right thing and force the return of the large ranch for illegal substances. If we could get one sale barn to step up and require this , we would owe it to them to get the others to follow suit to with the presale testing.
Who get the samples from the horses and when
How actual fuck did we ever get to this point?
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