Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO)

4 hours ago

ANOTHER HORSE NAMED IN TRIBUTE TO OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER MVP SHAI GILGEOUS ALEXANDER – SHAI A – WINS REMINGTON PARK FEATURE

For Immediate Release
Thursday, October 29, 2026
by Richard Linihan


OKLAHOMA CITY – It hasn’t been a great couple of weeks for the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball team, but it’s been a top-notch fortnight for horses at Remington Park named in tribute to the Thunder’s two-time MVP – Shai Gilgeous Alexander.

On Thursday night, Shai A battled to the finish of his six-furlong featured allowance race with John Elneigh like it was a one-on-one duel between SGA and the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson. Like two top NBA guards, these two horses would not give each other an inch as they went to war down the lane. It was John Elneigh on the inside with the lead and then Shai A would take over on the outside like great guards taking turns hitting three-pointers. In the end, at the buzzer, if you will, Shai A had prevailed by a half-length as the 2-1 co-favorite against the other favored horse, John Elneigh, also at 2-1. Shai A had slightly more win money on him, so he was technically the favorite.

Last week another horse was a winner at this Oklahoma City track and his name was Two Shai SGA. These horseman know how to make their trainees win, naming them after the world’s best basketball player. Don’t be surprised if more horses show up with head bands and goatees sporting a similar name.

On Thursday, jockey Jose Alvarez, made the trip to the winner’s circle with Shai A the rider’s second win of the night. He rode this one for Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer Joe Offolter and owner Justin Owens of Mustang, Okla. John Elneigh did hang on for second, another 2-3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Dear Admiral (5-1). Shai A paid $6 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Running time for the winner was 1:11.73 over the fast track after he and John Elneigh made it a personal battle to hit each pole first. Shai A made the first quarter-mile in :22.40 and then John Elneigh set the half-mile in :45.82. The rest of the way was a neck-and-neck battle as they went five-eighths of a mile in :58.30.

Shai A is a 2-year-old Florida-bred colt by Cyberknife, out of the Uncle Mo mare Mo Bonita, and was bred by Rustlewood Farm. The colt was purchased for $75,000 as the horse was pin-hooked in the Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale for 2-year-olds-in-training this year after he was originally sold for $12,000 Ocala Breeders’ October Yearling Sale of 2025.

After three starts now, Shai A has won two and earned $45,926. He broke his maiden at Remington Park on Sept. 24, winning by 8-1/2 lengths at 5-1/2 furlongs on the main track. Oddly enough, John Elneigh also broke his maiden by 8-1/2 lengths at Remington Park, also going 5-1/2 furlongs on Sept. 24, the same night. Shai A won the fourth race that night and John Elneigh won the eighth race on the same card.

John Elneigh, also named for a former athlete, Denver Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, is a 2-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Upstart, from the Uncle Mo mare Faith’s Reward. He is owned by Robert Krattiger and Connor O’Neill of Denver, Colo., and was bred by the estate of Brereton C. Jones.

John Elneigh’s record now is very similar to Shai A’s. He has started three times with one win and one second for earnings of $33,027. Want another similarity with the two horses? John Elneigh was also a pin-hook purchase out of the same Ocala Breeders’ Sale from which Shai A was pin-hooked. John Elneigh was not as much of a bargain, however, selling for $190,000 after going for $75,000 in his original auction at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale of 2025.

Thursday night’s allowance race was for 2-year-old colts and geldings that had not won two races lifetime. The way Shai A and John Elneigh ran 1-2 so easily against this bunch, it might be interesting to see if either is nominated to the Springboard Mile, the cornerstone stakes race for 2-year-olds in December at Remington Park that carries Kentucky Derby points.

Remington Park racing continues Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 & 31 with the first race nightly at 6:30pm-Central.

Caption: Shai A (7) wins the feature on Thursday, October 29, 2026 over John Elneigh (white silks, green sleeves) at Remington Park. Jockey Jose Alvarez was on Shai A to gain his second win of the evening.
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