Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO)

4 days ago

BARGAIN BABY, HOLA JOEY, WINS VANCE SPRINT AT REMINGTN PARK

For Immediate Release
Sunday, September 27, 2026
By Richard Linihan


OKLAHOMA CITY – The winner of the $100,000 David M. Vance Sprint on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Remington Park, Hola Joey, may be the bargain basement purchase of the century.

The 4-year-old Florida-bred gelded son of Adios Charlie, out of the Malibu Moon mare Engaged, was bought by owner Joe D. Casey of Owasso, Okla., for $3,000 at the Ocala Breeders Sale in June 2024 for 2-year-olds. With the win in the Vance, Hola Joey pushed his earnings to $488,011. It was his 10th win in 18 starts lifetime for Casey and trainer Gene Jacquot. Jockey Alex Birzer returned to Remington Park for the first time since he rode here regularly in 2020 and gave Hola Joey arguably the ride of the Oklahoma Derby Day, splitting horses in deep stretch. It was a spot so narrow that some would not have blamed him for not attempting that feat. Birzer gave Hola Joey all the credit.

“Joey did all the work,” Birzer said, fighting back tears. “He is just coming to himself. Gene has done a wonderful job with this horse. I can’t tell you how gutty he was to go through there.”

With that Birzer became extremely emotional and couldn’t continue the post-race interview. Whether it was this big win, his gutty horse or his return to see familiar faces for the first time in six years, it was apparent something touched him very much.

Hola Joey, a hard-knocking runner that has campaigned in Iowa, Arkansas and Oklahoma, won for the second time in a row and the sixth time in his past 11 races. He was already a multiple stakes winner coming into the Vance. He earned $60,000 for the victory Sunday.

Hola Joey’s last black-type win came in the $50,000 Ed Skinner Stakes at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, on June 14.

The 9-5 wagering favorite and track record holder at 6-1/2 furlongs, Heavenville, was dueling with Yo Banana Boy, a sharp shipper from the barn of Michael Maker, coming to the wire. Then, Hola Joey appeared from the middle of the track and went right between them, getting up to win by a head. Yo Banana Boy, with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez up, stayed for second, finishing 1-3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Heavenville. The rest of the order of finish was Perfect Magic (17-1) in fourth, Ridgewood Runner (9-2) fifth and Taylor’s Version (5-2) sixth.

Hola Joey ran a swift 1:09.65 on a fast track to win the race after sitting just off the pace of Heavenville at :22.02 for the first quarter-mile, :44.85 for the half-mile, and :57.05 for five-eighths of a mile.

The winner was sent off at 5-2 odds and paid $7.60 to win, $4.20 to place and $2.60 to show.

The David Vance Sprint is named after Remington Park’s founding president and general manager, who oversaw the conception, construction and operation of the facility until 1995. Vance was on hand to present the trophy to the connections in the winner’s circle.

Remington Park racing continues next month, Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 1-3 with the first race nightly at 6:30pm-Central.

Caption: Hola Joey (7) gets up to win the David Vance Sprint on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 at Remington Park, defeating Yo Banana Boy (4). Alex Birzer was up for victory.
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