Opening night racing program drawn, 11 races featuring trials for Paints and Appaloosas

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Opening Night card for the 2012 Remington Park American Quarter Horse & Mixed-breed Season was compiled this morning by the racing office. The 11-race program on Friday, March 2 is headlined by trials for the Oklahoma Paint Futurity and the Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby.

The first race on Friday is at 6pm (central). Cash drawings will be conducted from races two thru 10, worth between $200 and $1,000 on Friday night. Fans can enter at the Racing Entrance beginning at 5pm.

After a season-opening maiden claiming race, races two thru five are trials for the Grade 1, $85,000 (estimated) Oklahoma Paint Futurity for eligible 2-year-old Paints at 300 yards. After an Oklahoma-bred maiden special weight event in race six, three trials are up for the Grade 1, $60,000 estimated Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby in races seven thru nine at 350 yards.

The program concludes with a late Daily Double comprised of a pair of Oklahoma-bred maiden special weight events in races 10 and 11. Overall, 106 horses entered the 11 races for a pre-race average field size of 9.6 for Opening Night.

In race eight, the second trial for the Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby, Flashthechicks makes his Remington Park 3-year-old debut after a stellar freshman campaign here a year ago. Owned by Shirley Wheeler of Boynton, Okla. and trained by Luis Villafranco, G.R. Carter will ride the gelding who won the $85,772 American Paint Classic in April 2011 followed by victory in the $246,242 Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity in May. Overall, Flashthechicks has won five of 10 lifetime starts with career earnings of $186,007. He won three of six races last season at Remington Park.

In race nine, the third and final Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby trial, the winner of the 2011 Oklahoma Paint Futurity begins his 3-year-old season. BP Cartels Paint, owned by Bill Price of Thackerville, Okla. and conditioned by defending leading trainer Eddie Willis, will have Jimmy Brooks up for his heat. The gelding won his trial then the Oklahoma Paint Futurity in March 2011 to score in the first of Remington Park's three Paint futurities conducted each season.

Carter, the nine-time American Quarter Horse Association Champion Jockey and winner of 14 Remington Park riding titles, will get a jumpstart in defense of his current local crown by riding in all 11 races on Friday night. Carter, of Oklahoma City, won 91 races here a year ago helping him earn the AQHA Champion Jockey award for 2011.

Saturday night racing at Remington Park will feature trials for the Grade 2, $325,000 (estimated) Oklahoma Futurity. The initial stakes race of the season will be offered on Sunday as the Grade 2, $50,000 Eastex Handicap is featured. At 350 yards, many of the top older Quarter Horses are expected to make their 2012 debuts in the Eastex.

Scheduled post times for the Opening Weekend programs are 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.