Remington Park article by Richard Linihan
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – August 18, 2026 — Connors Outlaw produced one of the biggest upsets on the 34th Oklahoma Classics Night at Remington Park. The 6-year-old gelding weaved his way through traffic in the stretch to give trainer Mike Abney his second win on the program, taking the $99,600 Oklahoma Classics Sprint.
Jockey Rene Diaz looked like a man in 5 o’clock rush hour traffic trying to be the first one home as he pulled Connors Outlaw left and right, passing horses like they were standing still. There was little room to spare as Diaz booted home the 22-1 longshot, finally bursting to the finish line 1-1/4 lengths ahead of the field.
The Oklahoma-bred gelding by Cinco Charlie, out of the Grand Slam mare Le Grand Fromage, was claimed for $30,000 two races back in an allowance event at Remington Park on Aug. 27. The new owners Larry Foos and Troy Cartmill, had to be scratching their noggins after they laid out that kind of money for a horse they watched finish seventh that night, beaten 16-1/2 lengths. But Abney never lost faith.
“I really did expect this (winning the Classics Sprint); I don’t mean to sound arrogant,” Abney said. “We knew what we had and we were thinking Oklahoma Classics when we claimed him. I guess we’re not as dumb as everyone thinks we are.”
Connors Outlaw had not won a race since Sept. 27 last year when he beat starter allowance company at Remington Park. His only stakes win came at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., on March 26, 2024.
It was a cavalry charge to the wire and Diaz had the best and quickest GPS on this night to get up for the upset win. Connors Outlaw paid $47.60 to win, $18.20 to place and $6.40 to show. Another outsider, Easy as Pie (7-1) ran second, Cajun Stoops (11-1) was third and Guapo (7-2) was fourth. That 10-cent superfecta wager paid a whopping $1,349.36.
The 8-5 favorite, Breakable Code (last year’s winner of this race) could only manage a fifth-place effort. Following him were Mi Saturday (10-1) sixth, How About Bob (13-1) seventh, Slades Tank (20-1) eighth, Lil Elvis (22-1) ninth, Legacy Account (12-1) 10th and Missin Hollywood (9-1) 11th.
It was a strange race for Connors Outlaw from start to finish, going six furlongs on the main track. He was third at first call (:22.05 the first quarter-mile), fifth after a half-mile (:45.41) and then had the lead at the top of the stretch as he made his way through a maze of contenders. At that point he had covered five furlongs in :57.89 before winning in 1:10.69 over the fast surface.
Connors Outlaw earned $59,760 from the purse and improved to 33 starts, 10 wins, with five seconds and five thirds. He now has earned $353,865.
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Remington Park has provided more than $426 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. The 2026 edition of the Oklahoma Classics, the top night of stakes racing for Oklahoma-breds, is set for Friday, Oct. 16 at Remington Park. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
