Shotgun Kowboy Wins Classics Cup

Shotgun Kowboy made history Oct. 16, becoming the first Oklahoma Derby (gr. III) winner to ever run in the Chickasaw Nation Oklahoma Classics Cup, powered by TVG. He added to his lore by winning the Remington Park race under Cliff Berry, who let the gelding do his own work, never asking his mount for more.

The $1 million night for Oklahoma-bred Thoroughbreds is an opportunity for local stars to shine, and Shotgun Kowboy continued to be brightest. Owned, trained and bred by C.R. Trout of Edmond, Okla., the 3-year-old settled second in the short field of just five for the $151,750 Classics Cup. Berry let Shotgun Kowboy track pace-setting Z Rockstar until the final quarter mile, when he shook the reins and his mount responded, drawing even with his rival and then pulling away.

"My horse broke sharp and he settled off (Z Rockstar) perfect," Berry said from the winner's circle. "I didn't even hit him. He finished excellent. I'm still amazed Mr. Trout let me ride this horse. He's a blast to ride."

Z Rockstar set fractions of :23.80 for the opening quarter, :47.65 for the half, and 1:12.01 for six furlongs. Shotgun Kowboy just had too much in the tank, as he rolled down the stretch to pull away to a 2 3/4-length win while never touched by his rider, handling 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.36 over a fast track.

"He's just a special horse and easy to train," Trout noted. "He doesn't do anything wrong. He's good, sleeps good, and goes to work on the track."

The Classics Cup is the third straight win this season for Shotgun Kowboy, who has now won six of his eight career races—all of which have been at Remington. The race will more than likely be his final one in Oklahoma City for a while, as Trout plans to take him on the road to the Nov. 27 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Shotgun Kowboy was the heavy wagering favorite at 1-9 odds, paying $2.20, $2.10, and $2.10. Z Rockstar held second while bringing $2.10 and $2.10. Evansville Storm was third, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner, paying $2.10 to show. Big Money Speaks and Highway Fiftyfour rounded out the order of finish.

The winner's share of the Classics Cup boosts the career earnings for Shotgun Kowboy to $585,044. He is by Kodiak Kowboy from the Siphon mare Shotgun Jane.

Shotgun Kowboy is only the second Oklahoma-bred to win the Oklahoma Derby, joining millionaire Clever Trevor, who won the inaugural edition in 1989. He became the first Oklahoma Derby winner to appear in the Classics, as they did not exist when Clever Trevor was still racing. The first Oklahoma Classics was held in 1993, a year after Clever Trevor had retired.

The Classics Cup win is the fifth for Berry, who now draws even with retired jockey Don Pettinger for the most scores in the race. Trout won his third consecutive Classics Cup, having saddled Imahit to victory in both 2013 and 2014.