VIVA LE DON DEFEATS 2020 AQHA DISTANCE CHAMPION MADEWELL IN TOUGH GRADE 2 REMINGTON PARK DISTANCE CHALLENGE
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – April 26, 2021 – Viva Le Don had won more than $300,000 running in straight races, but trainer Tammy Johnson had a gut feeling that he might just like going around the hook at 870 yards. She was right.
Viva Le Don won the Grade 2, $38,148 AQHA Remington Park Distance Challenge at 870 yards Sunday night and beat the 2020 AQHA Distance Champion, the best hook horse in the country, Madewell, in the process.
“He had a great career down the lane,” said Johnson. “And now he’s learning to run 870 with the top class hook horses. That’s hard to do. I knew he could. I thought, ‘We’ll give him a couple of trips and he’ll figure it out.’ He did because he is so smart. I trained a lot of the same horses from his family and they all loved 870s.”
Jockey Josh Romero broke second from the gate behind front-running Higher Flyin Eagle, the 3-2 betting favorite, and stalked him into the stretch. As they approached the finish line, Higher Flyin Eagle faded to third and Viva Le Don pounced. The 5-year-old gelded son of Rock Solid Jess, out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Viva Arriba, won by daylight, beating the runner-up, Illtakeyouforaride (5-2) by 2-1/2 lengths. The second place horse wound up 3-3/4 lengths ahead of Higher Flyin Eagle. Viva Le Don was sent off at 4-1 odds and paid $10.80 to win, $4.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Madewell (5-2), last year’s top horse at this distance, was coming off four wins in a row at the Downs at Albuquerque last fall to gain his AQHA championship. His record is not as impressive at Remington Park, now 2-for-14 around the hook.
Viva Le Don’s campaign last year included three straight stakes wins at Retama Park in San Antonio, two at 550 yards and one at 440 yards.
“Tammy and I talked before the race and we agreed that we would let him do whatever he wanted,” said Romero. “That’s what we did and it worked out well. Finishing fourth in his only other 870 race had nothing to do with the mud, really. He had a wide post position in the 7-hole and it was just a matter of keeping him under control to make the turn. Tonight, he broke well and was perfect around the turn. The rest was all him, not me.”
Johnson begged to differ.
“Josh was the key,” she said. “He is excellent going around the hook. He’s very patient.”
Running time for the winner was :45.611 on a fast track for a speed index of 91. He earned $18,311 for his owner, Rocking J Running Horses and improved his record to 25 starts, seven wins, three seconds and seven thirds for lifetime earnings of $359,382. He was bred in Texas by Jack Manning and Johnson.
The victory in the Remington Park Distance Challenge is the second in the race for Johnson, who also saddled CJs Rocksolid to victory 2017. Owner, Rocking J Running Horses also owned CJs Rocksolid. Romero won his third race in the series, as he won last year on Higher Flyin Eagle and was aboard CJs Rocksolid in 2017.
Live racing continues next week with a Thursday-Sunday, April 29-May 2, schedule with first post time of 6 p.m. nightly, except for Saturday. Next Saturday, May 1, is Kentucky Derby Day and Remington Park will have a special Noon post time for live racing that day.
••••••
Tracked by more than 165,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $260 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 million Heritage Place Futurity on May 29. 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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VIVA LE DON DEFEATS 2020 AQHA DISTANCE CHAMPION MADEWELL IN TOUGH GRADE 2 REMINGTON PARK DISTANCE CHALLENGE
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – April 26, 2021 – Viva Le Don had won more than $300,000 running in straight races, but trainer Tammy Johnson had a gut feeling that he might just like going around the hook at 870 yards. She was right.
Viva Le Don won the Grade 2, $38,148 AQHA Remington Park Distance Challenge at 870 yards Sunday night and beat the 2020 AQHA Distance Champion, the best hook horse in the country, Madewell, in the process.
Jockey Josh Romero broke second from the gate behind front-running Higher Flyin Eagle, the 3-2 betting favorite, and stalked him into the stretch. As they approached the finish line, Higher Flyin Eagle faded to third and Viva Le Don pounced. The 5-year-old gelded son of Rock Solid Jess, out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Viva Arriba, won by daylight, beating the runner-up, Illtakeyouforaride (5-2) by 2-1/2 lengths. The second place horse wound up 3-3/4 lengths ahead of Higher Flyin Eagle. Viva Le Don was sent off at 4-1 odds and paid $10.80 to win, $4.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Madewell (5-2), last year’s top horse at this distance, was coming off four wins in a row at the Downs at Albuquerque last fall to gain his AQHA championship. His record is not as impressive at Remington Park, now 2-for-14 around the hook.
Viva Le Don’s campaign last year included three straight stakes wins at Retama Park in San Antonio, two at 550 yards and one at 440 yards.
Johnson begged to differ.
Running time for the winner was :45.611 on a fast track for a speed index of 91. He earned $18,311 for his owner, Rocking J Running Horses and improved his record to 25 starts, seven wins, three seconds and seven thirds for lifetime earnings of $359,382. He was bred in Texas by Jack Manning and Johnson.
The victory in the Remington Park Distance Challenge is the second in the race for Johnson, who also saddled CJs Rocksolid to victory 2017. Owner, Rocking J Running Horses also owned CJs Rocksolid. Romero won his third race in the series, as he won last year on Higher Flyin Eagle and was aboard CJs Rocksolid in 2017.
Live racing continues next week with a Thursday-Sunday, April 29-May 2, schedule with first post time of 6 p.m. nightly, except for Saturday. Next Saturday, May 1, is Kentucky Derby Day and Remington Park will have a special Noon post time for live racing that day.
••••••
Tracked by more than 165,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $260 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 million Heritage Place Futurity on May 29. 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
19 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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