Initial horses arrive at Remington Park, workout preparations begin tuesday

OKLAHOMA CITY - Early Monday activity in the Remington Park stable area signaled that the beginning of the 2012 racing season is not far away. Horses began moving into their stalls this morning on the first day that trainers are permitted to bring their athletes onto the grounds.

The Monday set up by many training operations will be followed by bustling activity on Tuesday morning, as horses are allowed to go to the racetrack for exercise and workouts for the first time this year. Mild winter weather will continue Tuesday with highs expected in the upper 60s.

Trainer Raymond Vargas was the first conditioner to move through the stable gate this morning, arriving at 5am. Vargas brought his strong contingent into their spring home in Barn B-4 with an abundance of stars ready to begin their 3-year-old campaigns at Remington Park. Among his leaders: 2011 Remington Park Futurity winner Mighty B Valiant; Jess Cuervo, sixth in the 2011 All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs, N.M.; and YM Quick, eighth in the 2011 Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs last summer.

The Remington Park main racing surface will open at 7am on Tuesday for the first day of exercise and official workouts. The initial set of schooling, or training, races for the season is set for Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 11:30am.

The 2012 American Quarter Horse & Mixed-breed Season at Remington Park will begin on Friday, March 2 as Opening Weekend continues thru Sunday, March 4. Scheduled post times for the Opening Weekend programs will be 6pm on Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3 with afternoon racing on Sunday, March 4 at 1:30pm.

Open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park also features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. 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.