Stakes Purses Boosted for OK Derby Card

The $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (gr. III) Sept. 25 headlines the stakes schedule for the 2016 Remington Park meet, which starts Aug. 12 and runs through Dec. 11. 

The total purse amount for the 31 stakes is $3,465,000.

 

The 12-race Oklahoma Derby card has increased from seven to 10 stakes this year, with the stakes purses increasing by $275,000 to a combined $1,325,000. 

"We're looking forward to hosting the 28th running of the Oklahoma Derby and are making the afternoon bigger than it has ever been for quality racing in this state," said Matt Vance, vice president of operations at Remington Park. "Thanks to the increased pool sizes experienced the past several years on our big days, wagering opportunities will be enhanced as well. We will feature a $50,000 guaranteed pool for the all-stakes primetime Pick 4 on Derby day.

"The Oklahoma Derby has annually attracted owners and trainers from across the nation seeking a quality, and Derby, spot just prior to the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

"The locally based trainers have always been well-represented in the race, with Donnie Von Hemel winning three times and Shotgun Kowboy winning in 2015 under the guidance of breeder, owner, (and) trainer C.R. Trout."

The rest of the Oklahoma Derby program includes:

—$200,000 Remington Park Oaks, 3-year-old fillies, 1 1/16 miles;

—$175,000 Governor's Cup, 3 & older, 1 1/8 miles;

—$150,000 David M. Vance Sprint, 3 & older, 6 furlongs;

—$100,000 Remington Green Stakes, 3 & older, 1 1/8 miles (turf);

—$75,000 Ricks Memorial Stakes, fillies & mares, 3 & older, 1 1/16 miles (turf);

—$75,000 Kip Deville Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs;

—$50,000 Flashy Lady Stakes, fillies & mares, 3 & older, 6 furlongs;

—$50,000 Bob Barry Memorial, fillies & mares, 3 & older, 7-1/2 furlongs (turf) (Oklahoma-breds);

—$50,000 Red Earth Stakes, 3 & older, 7-1/2 furlongs (turf) (Oklahoma-breds)

 

The Governor's Cup, the Bob Barry Memorial, and the Red Earth Stakes have all been moved to Oklahoma Derby day from the month of August, where they had been positioned for many years. The Remington Sprint Cup has been renamed the David M. Vance Sprint. The Vance had previously been conducted earlier in the season. That sprint race has been removed from the schedule.

 

Other big days on the Remington Park stakes schedule include the Oklahoma Classics Oct. 21 and Springboard Mile day Dec. 11.

 

The $1 million Oklahoma Classics night will feature eight divisional stakes races for Oklahoma-breds, anchored by the $175,000 Classics Cup for 3-year-olds and older at 1 1/16 miles. 

 

The $300,000 Springboard Mile. Remington Park's top 2-year-old stakes race, has received a purse increase of $50,000 and will headline the program on the final day of the season.

There are special 3 p.m. post times (all times Central) on Labor Day Sept. 5, Oklahoma Derby Day Sept. 25, and Black Friday Nov. 25. The final day of the season, Springboard Mile day Dec. 11, will begin at 1:30 p.m. 

The normal racing week, after opening weekend, will be Wednesday through Saturday, with a regular post time of 7 p.m.