Trainer Tammy Johnson will saddle four finalists in the $27,500-Added AQHA Remington Park Distance Challenge on May 12.

© Dustin Orona Photography

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 28, 2019—After the top-eight qualifiers from the trials for the AQHA Remington Park Distance Challenge(G3) (see related story) were posted at the conclusion of Saturday night's race card in Oklahoma City it was apparent that Tammy Johnson-trainees will make up half of the field for the May 12 final on at Remington.

Johnson trained Rock A Billy topped the qualifiers in the 870 yard trials for the Remington Park Distance Challenge(G3) with a time of :44.796 for the distance. Jockey Alfredo Triana, Jr. hand rode the gelding through the stretch in a duel with Trey Ellis-trained Bet I Make U Famous, who qualified second-fastest in the graded event.

"We couldn’t be happier to be so blessed to have four horses in the field for the finals" said trainer Tammy Johnson. "What can you say about Rock A Billy? He’s been so good to us, and so consistent going around the hook. I look for him to run a big race in the finals".

Johnson has gained a reputation for being a trainer that can train a horse to successfully go ‘around the hook’. The multiple stakes victories at the 870 yard distance is testament to her training regimen that focuses on keeping horses sound to reach the age to compete at a route of ground.

"We believe in our method of training our horses," said Johnson. "We keep the horses sound, and give them the time they need in-between races to recuperate to keep the soundness. We are thankful that our owners give us that luxury and believe in our training methods to allow us to do that for our horses, and it shows when we have horses competing into their six-year old year at such a high level.

The winner of the AQHA Remington Park Distance Challenge (G3) on May 12, 2019 gains an automatic-berth into the finals of the AQHA Distance Challenge Championship(G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque. The 870 yard championship event will be contested as a part of the 2019 Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships are October 26, 2019.