Racing


It Was Hunting Season For Wascallywittlewabbit, He Bags Grade 2 Pauls Valley Stakes Around Hook
Wascallywittlewabbit (#4 inside rail) wins the Grade 2 Pauls Valley Stakes, defeating Why Buy The Cow (#3) by a half-length on Thursday night at Remington Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography
It Was Hunting Season For Wascallywittlewabbit, He Bags Grade 2 Pauls Valley Stakes Around Hook

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 1, 2021—Wascallywittlewabbit went hunting for revenge Thursday night in the Grade 2, $50,880 Pauls Valley Stakes at 870 yards and was successful in his quest.

The 6-year-old gelding had raced against many of the horses in the Pauls Valley in his last two starts and finished fourth, beaten by five lengths and seventh, losing by more than 11 lengths.

Both of those races were around the hook and Ms Esther, Holy Storm, Moonflash Cat and Why Buy the Cow all left him in their wake in those races. When the Thursday night lights came on, however, this son of Heza Motor Scooter, out of Rabbits Rainbow mare Rabbits N Diamonds, showed why he had won four races in a row prior to his last two poor efforts.

Under the ride of Benito Baca, he was engaged in a three-horse speed duel with Why Buy the Cow and Higher Flyin Eagle in the early going. When those two backed out of it, he only had to fend off the late challenge of Ms Esther, who had beaten him by five lengths on March 18 in a prep race for this.

Ms Esther could not make up the final half-length and finished a nose back of runner-up Why Buy the Cow in a photo for second and third. The winner handled the 870 yards in :45.498 over a fast track, earning a speed index of 92. Ms Esther was sent off as the 2-1 favorite by the betting public.

Wascallywittlewabbit was led to the winner’s circle by trainer Michael Joiner for owner Rogers Farms (Jarett Rogers) of Clint, Texas. The winner went off at 9-1 odds and paid $21 to win, $8.40 to place and $4.40 to show. Why Buy the Cow was the second favorite in the wagering at 5-2 odds.

Wascallywittlewabbit won for the second time in three tries at Remington Park and the sixth time in 11 trips at 870 yards. He earned $29,892 for the victory and his record now stands at 17 starts, seven wins, one second for a lifetime bankroll of $129,215.

Runner-up Why Buy The Cow races for owner Carrol Durbin and trainer Clinton Crawford. Daniel Amaya was aboard the New Mexico-bred son of Heza Motor Scooter from the Celadon mare Southwest Treasure. The $9,963 second-place check boosted 6-year-olds earnings total to nearly $200,000.

Multiple stakes winner Ms Esther picked up $6,360 for finishing third. Owner-trainer Jordan Baumann named Andrew Samaniego to ride the daughter multiple stakes winning Afrashad (TB) from the Tres Seis mare Tres Down The Cash. Bred by Duwyne and Janice Pfeifle, Ms Esther has earned $218,608.

The remaining order of finish for the Pauls Valley Stakes was Higher Flyin Eagle (4th) Holy Storm (5th) Moonflash Cat (6th) and Weapon First Bug (7th).

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Remington Park racing continues Friday and Saturday, April 2 & 3, featuring 10 trials each night for the $926,500 Remington Park Futurity. The fastest five from each night of qualifying will move on the final on April 17. The first race nightly is at 6pm-Central.

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Tracked by more than 165,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $258 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 is open daily for casino gaming and simulcast horse racing. The 2021 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through May 29. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.