OKLAHOMA CITY, OK--MARCH 17, 2018--The unique and longer stretch distance of 550 yards was featured Saturday at Remington Park in the $50,000 SLM Big Daddy Stakes. Rock About It attempted the distance for the first time in his career and found the measure to his liking, winning by a neck.

Owned by Rockin J Running Horses of Gatesville, Texas and trained by Tammy Johnson, Rock About It was ridden by Benito Baca. The 4-year-old gelding had a solid beginning and he made it last the course.

"He got away, about one of the best starts he’s able to have," Baca noted. "I knew we had something on the end and I knew the 8 horse (Pitchin Woo) was coming but I wasn’t going to stop riding."

Rock About It has had success, winning at 400 yards and finishing in the money at a quarter-mile. Johnson is confident in his ability and is pleased that he passed another test in the SLM Big Daddy Stakes.

"This horse really loves 440 (yards), and 550 (yards) apparently," Johnson said. "Everyone keeps asking me if I’m going to go 870 (yards) with him. I say ‘No, I want to keep him down the lane,’ so I’d like to keep him at 440 (yards), 550 (yards). He just really has a good kick at about 350 (yards) or somewhere in there. He just eats it up."

Rock About It held on to win, crossing the finish in :26.557 over a fast track. Pitching Woo rallied outside for the near miss as the runner-up. Big Spurs was a length behind the winner, finishing third.

Away at 4-1 odds in the wagering, Rock About It paid $10.80 to win, $5.60 to place and $3.80 to show. Pitchin Woo paid $7.40 to place and $5.20 to show. Big Spurs paid $7.40 to show. Cobalt Creek was the beaten betting favorite at 4-5 odds, finishing fourth.

The win was the fifth from 14 career starts for Rock About It, a son of Rock Solid Jess from the Coronas Blackdiamond mare Not Sable Shes Rose. Bred in New Mexico by Sarah Rioux, Rock About It made $29,730 for the SLM Big Daddy score, boosting his career earnings to $104,975.

Runner-up Pitchin Woo races for owner Heysol Howlet and trainer Fernando Carrete. Jockey Roberto Meraz Jr. rode the 8-year-old daughter of champion sire FDD Dynasty.

Bred in Texas by Royce Rogers, Pitchin Woo pushed her bankroll to $176,151 after pocketing $9,910 for finishing second. The multiple stakes-placed mare is out of the Heza Fast Man mare Southern Fast Lady.

Third-place finisher Big Spurs picked up $5,451 for his effort. The RG2-placed son of leading third-crop sire Big Daddy Cartel races for owner Astorga Racing LLC. Carrete also trains the New Mexico-bred 4-year-old out of Lady Chimes by Chimes Band (TB). Cesar Gomez was aboard the $116,811 earner.

Grade 1 winner Colbalt Creek finished fourth followed by Yudes Jess Dashin, Rock A Billy, Fast N Famous Jeans, Dna Dales Prospect, Silver Citizen and Trubador Dan.

The 2018 American Quarter Horse Season at Remington Park continues Sunday, March 18 at 1:30pm.

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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.

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Tracked by over 136,000 fans on Facebook and more than 9,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided over $187 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Home to the 77th running of the Grade 3, $450,000 Oklahoma Futurity on Saturday, March 24, Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, Remington Park is 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.