Oklahoma City, OK, October 28, 2024 – Trainer Francisco Bravo wasted no time in piling up wins as the new Remington Park racing week started on Wednesday, Oct. 23. He doubled down with Sonic Posse and Periscope as they romped in the early daily double.
Sonic Posse, a 4-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelding by Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Caleb’s Posse, out of the Song of the Sword mare Sonic Run, broke his maiden on his 10th try Wednesday, but it was his first trip over the Remington Park turf course. The gelding, under regular rider Obed Sanchez, drew away to win by 3-1/2 lengths like he had been begging for a trip over the grass. He loved it.
The betting public was not fooled by his 0-for-9 record on the dirt as they bet Sonic Posse down to 7-5 odds and he responded as if he knew he was favored to win. An indication that he was sitting on go might have been his final workouts before this race. On Oct. 11, Sonic Posse worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.65, the fastest time of the day for 22 horses that tried the distance. He then worked four furlongs on Oct. 16 in :48.19 handily, the second fastest of 24 that morning at the measure.
Sonic Posse went wire to wire for the victory in the one-mile race greensward Wednesday. He was bred in-state by the owner, Larry Darter.
First-time starter Periscope completed the early daily double for Bravo with four-time jockey title winner at Remington Park, David Cabrera, in the irons. Periscope, a 2-year-old gelded son of Caleb’s Posse, out of the Bob and John mare Lady Jensen, is owned and was bred by Kelly Thiesing in Oklahoma.
The firster skipped away to a 10-1/2 length victory as the 9-5 favorite at five furlongs over a fast main track. Just like his stablemate in the first race, Periscope had put up a bullet work at five furlongs. His came on Oct. 9 when he trained five-eighths in 1:00.89, handily from the gate. That was the fastest of nine horses at the distance. Again, just like Sonic Posse, Periscope then worked four furlongs on Oct. 16 to really get ready, going in :48.56 handily, the third fastest of that morning.
Caleb’s Posse, both of these horses’ sire, won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in 2011 for Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer Donnie Von Hemel and for owners McNeill Stables and Cheyenne Stable.
Training Padillas Each Score Wednesday
The training father-son duo of Juan and Carlos Padilla made trips to the winner’s circle on the same night Wednesday, by winning the third and seventh races at Remington Park.
Carlos got the first win of the meet for his barn when So Jacksann won the third under jockey Iram Diego by 3-1/4 lengths as the 3-5 favorite. The 4-year-old Oklahoma-bred filly by Wilburn, out of the Afleet Alex mare So What, won easily in her 5-1/2 furlong sprint on the fast main track in 1:05.45 for owner Stacy Kent Lewis of Davis, Okla. The filly was bred C.D. Ledges.
Juan Padilla, the father, owner and trainer of the winner in race seven, Okie Magic, joined his son as winners on the night. It was a banner night for sire Caleb’s Posse as this was his third winner for the evening. Okie Magic is from the Cavvy broodmare Okie Spirit.
Okie Magic, bred by the Richter Family Trust, won for the second time in only four starts, this time under jockey David Cabrera.
Okie Magic was sent off as the 4-1 third favorite and Cabrera got her to the finish line 1-1/2 lengths in front, going six furlongs on the fast main track in 1:11.14.
Hernandez at 995
Jockey Harry Hernandez picked up one win Wednesday night at Remington Park, scoring the sixth race on Northvale Road ($4.60 to win) for owner/trainer Dick Cappellucci of El Paso, Texas.
The win was the 995th for Hernandez in the United States. He continues his bid for 1,000 wins in this country on Thursday with four mounts. Hernandez has been named on Hollywoodboulevard (7-2 odds) in race one, Arr Piratetreasure (5-2) in race three, Big Muckity (2-1 morning-line favorite) in race seven and Ski Patrol (5-2 morning-line favorite) in race eight.
Hernandez was named on Mo Saturdays in the ninth and final but that gelding has been scratched.
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Remington Park has provided more than $363 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 presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The 2024 Thoroughbred Season continues through Dec. 13 when the $300,000 Springboard Mile tops the final night of the season. The major 2-year-old stakes race of the season, the Springboard awards valuable 2025 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.