SMITHWORKS GETS BACK ON TRACK, WINS RICHEST PAINT & APPALOOSA RACE IN HISTORY, $294,075 SPEEDHORSE GRAHAM FUTURITY
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 30, 2021 – Smithworks has had quite the roller coaster ride as a 2-year-old colt, almost dying at birth, losing his mother, then going on to win the richest race in Paint and Appaloosa history on Saturday night at Remington Park.
He won the Grade 1, $294,075 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity for owner Bryan Hawk of Shawnee, Okla., trainer Matt Whitekiller and jockey Cody Smith at 350 yards. It was the fifth win of this race for both Whitekiller and Smith, both tops in this stakes race. Whitekiller and Smith won in 2019 with DTL Chasin Tale, Bully Pulpit (2017), Painted Turnpike (2015) and I Kick (2009).
Smithworks lost his mom when he was born, didn’t take to his surrogate mother for feeding purposes and Whitekiller had his doubts whether he would become a runner of any kind at all. Once he realized he would indeed make it to the track, he sold him to Hawk and the magic immediately began.
“I guess I should have kept him (as an owner),” Whitekiller, also the breeder, said with a laugh. “No, I’m very happy for Bryan. Smithwork’s desire to live was amazing. Most of them don’t live like that. It was a God thing.”
This 2-year-old colt by multiple Paint World Champion Painted Turnpike, out of the Mighty Invictus (QH) late mare Shesa Mighty Chick, earned $112,848 for the win, more than doubling his lifetime earnings. His record improved to six starts, four wins, and one second for $204,982 in his bankroll.
After surviving his tough birth, Smithworks grew like a weed and when he stepped onto the racetrack, he won the $198,100 Oklahoma Paint & Appaloosa Futurity on March 20.
RF Livies Livewire then beat Smithworks in the $164,200 American Paint Classic Futurity on April 24 and they were meeting one more time in their breed’s richest race ever.
“He wasn’t right (in the American Paint Classic),” said Whitekiller, who moved into a tie with Dee Keener as the all-time winningest Paint trainer with 334 victories each. “He didn’t act sick, but he wasn’t himself.”
Smithworks ran fifth in the American Paint Classic but got his revenge Saturday, winning this race by a head while the best the 2-1 wagering favorite in the race, RF Livies Livewire, could do was run ninth of 10 competitors. He got away poorly and never made up any ground. Smithworks (5-2) won by a head over 28-1 longshot Capo Cabana, who was another half-length in front of third-place finisher RP Reckless Wire (8-1).
Smith rode Smithworks perfectly, breaking first from the gate and holding on stubbornly, stopping the timer in :17.684, good for an 86 speed index.
“It couldn’t have been a better trip,” said Smith. “I couldn’t have paid for a better trip.”
The winner paid $7, $4.80 and $3.80 across the board to win, place and show. Smithworks was nursed back to health by former jockey Debbie Freeman, veterinarians and her crew in Sallisaw, Okla.
The final racing program of the 2021 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season at Remington Park takes place on Sunday, May 30. The first race is at 1:30pm-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 features live and simulcast horse racing, and the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
Facebook Feed
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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SMITHWORKS GETS BACK ON TRACK, WINS RICHEST PAINT & APPALOOSA RACE IN HISTORY, $294,075 SPEEDHORSE GRAHAM FUTURITY
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 30, 2021 – Smithworks has had quite the roller coaster ride as a 2-year-old colt, almost dying at birth, losing his mother, then going on to win the richest race in Paint and Appaloosa history on Saturday night at Remington Park.
He won the Grade 1, $294,075 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity for owner Bryan Hawk of Shawnee, Okla., trainer Matt Whitekiller and jockey Cody Smith at 350 yards. It was the fifth win of this race for both Whitekiller and Smith, both tops in this stakes race. Whitekiller and Smith won in 2019 with DTL Chasin Tale, Bully Pulpit (2017), Painted Turnpike (2015) and I Kick (2009).
Smithworks lost his mom when he was born, didn’t take to his surrogate mother for feeding purposes and Whitekiller had his doubts whether he would become a runner of any kind at all. Once he realized he would indeed make it to the track, he sold him to Hawk and the magic immediately began.
“I guess I should have kept him (as an owner),” Whitekiller, also the breeder, said with a laugh. “No, I’m very happy for Bryan. Smithwork’s desire to live was amazing. Most of them don’t live like that. It was a God thing.”
This 2-year-old colt by multiple Paint World Champion Painted Turnpike, out of the Mighty Invictus (QH) late mare Shesa Mighty Chick, earned $112,848 for the win, more than doubling his lifetime earnings. His record improved to six starts, four wins, and one second for $204,982 in his bankroll.
After surviving his tough birth, Smithworks grew like a weed and when he stepped onto the racetrack, he won the $198,100 Oklahoma Paint & Appaloosa Futurity on March 20.
RF Livies Livewire then beat Smithworks in the $164,200 American Paint Classic Futurity on April 24 and they were meeting one more time in their breed’s richest race ever.
“He wasn’t right (in the American Paint Classic),” said Whitekiller, who moved into a tie with Dee Keener as the all-time winningest Paint trainer with 334 victories each. “He didn’t act sick, but he wasn’t himself.”
Smithworks ran fifth in the American Paint Classic but got his revenge Saturday, winning this race by a head while the best the 2-1 wagering favorite in the race, RF Livies Livewire, could do was run ninth of 10 competitors. He got away poorly and never made up any ground. Smithworks (5-2) won by a head over 28-1 longshot Capo Cabana, who was another half-length in front of third-place finisher RP Reckless Wire (8-1).
Smith rode Smithworks perfectly, breaking first from the gate and holding on stubbornly, stopping the timer in :17.684, good for an 86 speed index.
“It couldn’t have been a better trip,” said Smith. “I couldn’t have paid for a better trip.”
The winner paid $7, $4.80 and $3.80 across the board to win, place and show. Smithworks was nursed back to health by former jockey Debbie Freeman, veterinarians and her crew in Sallisaw, Okla.
The final racing program of the 2021 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season at Remington Park takes place on Sunday, May 30. The first race is at 1:30pm-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 features live and simulcast horse racing, and the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
Facebook Feed
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
13 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
20 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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