TRAINER JOHN STINEBAUGH CONTINUES WIN SKEIN, TAKING OKLAHOMA JUVENILE TO MAINTAIN HIGH WINNING PERCENTAGE

by Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – March 23, 2024 – Trainer John Stinebaugh has started the 2024 race meet at Remington Park hotter than an Oklahoma parking lot in July. He continued his winning ways, taking the $50,000 Oklahoma Juvenile Stakes on Saturday night with This Eagles Armed.

Of the trainers that have started at least 10 times during the Remington Park meet, only one conditioner has a higher winning percentage – Juan Diaz, Jr. – who won the big race Saturday night, the Grade 2 $502,385 Oklahoma Futurity. Diaz has won 4-of-12 starts for a 33 percent winning ratio while Stinebaugh has won 5-of-17 for 29 percent.

The top seven horses in this field were flanked right on top of each other in a blanket finish. This Eagles Armed, a 2-year-old gelded son of This is an Eagle, out of the Tac It Like a Man mare Empty Arms, had run second in his Oklahoma Futurity trial to Xpress Lane, who wound up running second in the half-million Grade 2 final of that event later in the evening.

Jockey Ali Rivera kicked into gear from the outside post 10-hole for the winner and he cruised home a neck winner over BP Pink Venom (6-1). This Eagles Armed was sent off at 8-1 odds and paid $19.60 to win, $10.20 to place and $5.60 to show. It was a first win this stakes series for Stinebaugh, Rivera and the owner, Pete Scarmardo of Caldwell, Texas. This Eagles Armed earned $20,000 to improve to two starts, one win and one second for earnings of $21,946.

This Eagles Armed stopped the clock for 300 yards in :15.587 over the fast track for a speed index of 87. He was bred in Texas by his owner.

Hott Temptation (6-1) checked in third, three-quarters of a length back of the runner-up and the next five margins of finish were a nose, a neck, a neck, a head and a neck. Outcome is Income (8-1) ran fourth, Starwood (9-1) fifth, Rich Strike (5-1) sixth, Kingpyn (7-1) seventh, Sin Tachas Eagle (10-1) eighth, Moon Knight (3-1 favorite) ninth and Cedar Hill (17-1) 10^th.

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Remington Park has provided more than $345 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 simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The Remington Park Futurity for Oklahoma-breds is featured on April 27. The 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1. starts its 50-date season. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.