For Immediate Release – July 19, 2022 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The Remington Park racing surface opened for the first time this morning in anticipation for the start of the Thoroughbred season. Trainer Roger Neff took advantage of the initial exercise opportunity, sending a two-time winner from 2021 to the track.
Da Prairie Girl, a 4-year-old Oklahoma-bred filly, was the first athlete to the track this morning, attempting to beat the quickly warming temperatures. Neff sent the two-time winner from last season out to stretch her legs while temperatures were still in the mid-80s.
A daughter of Da Stoops from the Chief Seattle mare She Loves Me Now, Da Prairie Girl won her first two career starts here in 2021, scoring her second win in a Nov. 22 allowance event at 6-1/2 furlongs for state-breds. Da Prairie Girl won by a widening 5-3/4 lengths in her first attempt against other winners.
Neff, of Jones, Okla., has a small stable of only four for the upcoming season. A farrier by trade, he is hopeful of a solid start when the season begins on Aug. 19. “We had three go to the track this morning. We’re sitting pretty good right now, probably better than in the past, so we think they will be ready.”
Da Prairie Girl provided Neff with both of his training wins last season at Remington Park, from only three starts overall. Racing primarily at Remington Park and Oklahoma’s other tracks, Will Rogers Downs in Claremore and Fair Meadows in Tulsa, Neff has saddled 27 winners since 2010 from 221 starts according to Equibase. He also has 29 seconds and 32 thirds. He has won 19 career races at Remington Park.
The Remington Park stable area will continue to slowly fill as horses and trainers wrap up competition at other summertime venues. A large contingent of horses is expected in the coming days as Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas completes its season on July 24.
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Tracked by more than 170,000 fans on Facebook and 10,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $295 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park features simulcast horse racing daily and the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
