OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 11, 2018—A pair of champions from the barn of trainer James Padgett worked Thursday morning at Remington Park, including two-time American Quarter Horse Association World Champion Jessies First Down.

Owned and bred in Texas by Ted Abrams of Houston, Jessies First Down worked 330 yards handily in :17.64 over a fast track under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo. Jessies First Down posted his first official workout since finishing third in his final race of 2017, the Grade 1, $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park in New Mexico. The 7-year-old gelding by FDD Dynasty from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess A Classy Lassy, is gearing up towards his 2018 debut, possibly in the Grade 1, $100,000 Leo Stakes on April 28.

Jessies First Down finished second last year in the Grade 1, $250,000 Remington Park Championship, beaten only a head by Zoomin Effortlessly. Jessies First Down has won 15 of his career 34 starts and boasts lifetime earnings of $1,050,864.

Hold Air Hostage, the 2017 AQHA Champion 3-year-old, recorded a very quick 220-yard breeze for Padgett on Thursday morning. The winner of the 2017 Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park, as well as the Rainbow and All American Derbies at Ruidoso Downs, N.M., crossed the finish in :11.37. Vallejo was up for the breeze.

Like his stablemate, Hold Air Hostage posted his first work since his final race of 2017, the victory by 2-1/4 lengths in the All American Derby. An Oklahoma-bred, owned by Darling Farms of Lamont, Okla., Hold Air Hostage is by Apollitical Jess from the Fols Gold mare Fols Zookie Cookie.

Hold Air Hostage has earned $1,216,317 from his 11 lifetime starts, winning eight. He has won two of his four races at Remington Park, adding an allowance score in April 2017, prior to his run to last year’s Heritage Place Derby. Hold Air Hostage has won five straight races and is expected to aim for the Remington Park Championship on June 2, and possibly the Leo Stakes as well.

The 2018 Remington Park American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues Thursday thru Sunday, April 12-15. The first race is at 6pm nightly, except Sunday afternoon, when racing begins at 1:30pm. All times are Central.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The 2018 Remington Park American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season will continue Thursday thru Sunday, April 12-15. The first race nightly is at 6pm, except Sunday afternoon, when racing begins at 1:30pm. All times are Central.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Tracked by over 136,000 fans on Facebook and more than 9,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided over $189 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Remington Park, Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino, is home to the $900,000 Remington Park Futurity on Saturday, April 21. 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.