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For Immediate Release

Friday, November 18, 2011

 

STEVE ASMUSSEN WINS 6,000TH RACE, TED’S FOLLY ROLLS AGAIN

 

OKLAHOMA CITY - Trainer Steve Asmussen won his 6,000th career race in the opener on Friday at Remington Park when Basalt broke his maiden in a seven-furlong sprint. Asmussen becomes just the fifth trainer in the history of Thoroughbred racing to reach 6,000 career scores.

 

The leading trainer this season at Remington Park with 40 victories, Asmussen has won six Chuck Taliaferro Awards, honoring the leading seasonal trainer here. He won his first career seasonal title as a trainer in 1991 at Remington Park before breaking out with a continental operation that spans North America with multiple stables in many locales at any given time. He won the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer in both 2008 and 2009 and has trained a pair of Horse of the Year runners in Curlin (2007-2008) and Rachel Alexandra (2009).

 

Basalt is owned by long-time client Winchell Thoroughbreds of Las Vegas and was ridden by Lindey Wade.

 

A Remington Park first in Thoroughbred racing took place prior to the start of the regular wagering program. The $51,895 Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, for 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred colts and geldings at six furlongs, featured Ted’s Folly. Already a winner of four straight races this season, Ted’s Folly basically frightened most competitors away from the event which drew a field of four.

 

Due to the expected super-favoritism and short field, the race was declared a non-wagering event to be run solely for the sport of the purse money. Ted’s Folly handled the effort easily to gain his fifth consecutive victory.

 

Owned by Steve Martin of Morrison, Okla. and trained by Wilson Brown, jockey Jose Medina had his normal mount on Ted’s Folly and made sure he kept his mind on the task at hand.

 

Normally one that rallies from well off the pace, Ted’s Folly had to alter his running style a bit with few rivals. “We knew with the short field that we would have to be a little closer than usual,” Medina said after the race. “We expected the pace to be a little slower than some but he handled it. He’s good.”

 

Medina kept Ted’s Folly within five lengths of the pace set by Big Red Okie and then taken over in the turn by K Company. They covered the first quarter-mile in :22.53 seconds and the half-mile in :45.92 seconds. Medina asked Ted’s Folly for his run in mid-turn and he pounced on his three rivals, moving wide into the stretch where he took the lead immediately upon straightening away.

 

Ted’s Folly opened up and drew off under a strong hand-ride by Medina to win by 5-1/4 lengths in 1:10.28 over the fast track. Yukonrun rallied for second with K Company third and Big Red Okie fourth.

 

All five of the career wins for Ted’s Folly have taken place in a row this season. He picked up $31,525 for the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes win, moving his career earnings to $141,979. An Oklahoma-bred gelding by Wild Tale from the Sword Dance (Ire) mare Tricksword, Ted’s Folly was bred in state by Harmony Stable.

 

Jockey Lindey Wade posted a riding triple Friday night. In addition to his win for Asmussen aboard Basalt ($10.60 to win), he also won with Paradise City ($3.80) in race three and with Lucky Memory ($5.80) in the ninth and final race. The hat trick gives Wade 38 wins for the season. He is third in the jockey standings behind Cliff Berry and Luis Quinonez who are tied with 53 apiece.

 

Open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park also features Henry Hudson’s and the Bricktown Brewery, both opening daily at  11am. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park.

 

Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino, located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.

 

 

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