OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—MARCH 18, 2017—The $50,360 SLM Big Daddy Stakes was the main event on Saturday night at Remington Park, going to Apollitical Man. The 5-year-old gelding led throughout the special 550-yard event, holding off heavily favored He Is The Risingstar, to win by a nose.

Owned by Terry McLean of Claremore, Okla. and trained by her husband Gerry McLean, Apollitical Man was ridden confidently to victory by James Flores after the pair enjoyed a sharp beginning in the long race.

"The horse had a great start, he broke really sharp. I thought he broke the best," Flores said. "I saw the four (He Is The Risingstar) running to me, "Polly" saw him and he re-broke and got stronger and held on for the win."

Apollitical Man crossed the finish in :26.999 seconds over a fast track. Specials Jess was along for third, three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

At 4-1 odds in the wagering, Apollitical Man paid $10.20 to win, $4.60 to place and $3 to show. He Is The Risingstar was second and paid $3.60 to place and $2.40 to show as the beaten betting favorite at 8-5 odds. Specials Jess returned $2.40 to show for running third.

Apollitical Man is an Oklahoma-bred gelding by Apollitical Jess from the Corona Cartel mare Tinys Corona Queen. He was bred by James and Marilyn Helzer. The SLM Big Daddy Stakes win is the sixth triumph from 14 career races for Apollitical Man who picked up $29,730 to run his career earnings to $84,265.

Coming off back-to-back stakes wins at Los Alamitos Race Course He Is the Risingstar just missed in his first career start at Remington Park. Trainer Paul Jones saddled the son 5-year-old Mr Jess Perry gelding for owner Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches, LP. Cesar DeAlba had the riding call to earn $9,910.

Bred by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC, from the Dash For Cash mare Meddlin Mischief, He Is the Risingstar has compiled a (20) 7-2-1 record and earned $126.660.

Third place finisher Special Jess races for owner Cleo Valdez and trainer Erika Huitron. Edwuin Lujan rode the Spit Curl Jess gelding out of Special Anywhere by Make It Anywhere. Bred by A.C. Taylor, the stakes winner picked up $5,649 for his effort.

The SLM Big Daddy Stakes is named in honor of one of the most popular horses in Remington Park history. SLM Big Daddy was a multiple stakes winner over three years in the late 1990s here as well as a back-to-back American Quarter Horse Association World Champion in 1997 and 1998.

Remington Park racing continues Sunday, March 19 with an afternoon card that begins at 1:30pm.

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Tracked by over 119,000 fans on Facebook and 8,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park is the home of the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Futurity on Saturday, March 25. Remington Park has provided over $165 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Open daily at 10:30am with free parking and admission, Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino is located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.