VETERAN MOTION APPROVED WINS FIRST REMINGTON PARK RACE IN RED EARTH STAKES
OKLAHOMA CITY – Motion Approved, a 10-year-old gelding who had a period of almost three years off in his career, made his first Remington Park victory memorable by winning the $50,000 Red Earth Stakes for Oklahoma-breds Friday night.
Now owned and trained by Marti Rodriguez of Jones, Okla., Motion Approved last found the winner’s circle in March of 2006 at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla. He had previously made 16 attempts at Remington Park with three second-place finishes and three more in third but no scores. Jockey Nena Matz was up for the proudest moment in the 35-race career of Motion Approved, pulling clear to win by two lengths over a late-running Strategic Leader.
“He broke out of the starting gate well and settled like a dream,” Matz noted. “When I caught the pace-setter I thought he was a winner then.”
Ninilchik made every effort to lead the group of nine throughout but came up empty at the top of the lane in the 7-1/2 furlong turf event. Once that spry 4-year-old gave way, the 10-year-old roared by with the exuberance of a horse at least half his age.
Rodriguez noted after the race that Motion Approved had once been retired and ceased competition for nearly three years before she purchased the gray from the late Carl Dyer, who had originally bought him from Rodriguez when he was a 3-year-old in 2004.
After showing he still had the will to run, Rodriguez brought Motion Approved back in the 2010 edition of the Red Earth Stakes where he ran fourth. In the 10th race of his comeback, Motion Approved achieved his biggest career win. He crossed the finish in a sharp 1:28.94 seconds over the firm going.
Dismissed at 37-1 odds in the wagering, Motion Approved paid $76.60 to win, $33.20 to place and $12.80 to show. Strategic Leader returned $5.80 to place and $3.60 to show. Ti Township came on for third and paid $4.40 to show. Both Strategic Leader (2008) and Ti Township (2009) are past winners of the Red Earth Stakes.
With the longshot Motion Approved on top, the exotic payoffs were hefty to say the least. The exacta (2-10) paid $548 with the quinella (2-10) paying $709. The trifecta (2-10-5) paid $2,204.60 with the 10-cent superfecta (2-10-5-6) paying $541.47.
The win was the fourth from 35 career starts for Motion Approved, a gelding by With Approval from the Affirmed mare Shake On It. His first Remington Park tally was worth $30,000 to boost his lifetime earnings to $175,182.
Trainer Andy Gladd and jockey Benny Landeros teamed up for a big Friday night, with three wins. The team hat trick came with Ida Pretty Creek ($9.60 to win) in race one followed by Fitzhugh Flash ($8) in race three and then Skeeter Slew ($6) in race six.
Saturday is the final night of the Opening Weekend of the 2011 Thoroughbred Season. The featured stakes races are the $200,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup and the $100,000 Governor’s Cup. The first race Saturday evening is at 6:30pm.
The Remington Park Thoroughbred Season continues thru Saturday, Dec. 10. The marquee race of the season is the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, Oct. 16.
Open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park also features Henry Hudson’s on the first floor, which opens for lunch 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.
Motion Approved winning the Red Earth Stakes
Red Earth Stakes winners presentation
Photo Credit: Dustin Orona Photography
For More Information,
Contact: Dale Day
405-425-3215 (o), 405-326-7496 (m)