O Donavan Rossa, ridden by Roman Cruz, wins the $38,896 Lip Chip Remington Park Distance Challenge on Sunday evening.

© Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 7, 2024–Favored to win, O Donavan Rossa kept to task down the middle to win the $38,896 Lip Chip Remington Park Distance Challenge [G2] on Sunday evening.

This was the first time jockey Roman Cruz had won aboard the son of world champion sire Apollitical Jess. The duo led the field from gate-to-wire and at the final stretch, O Donavan Rossa reached down to find a little more winning by 1-1/2-lengths.

Cruz, with a smile on his face, said "He knew what he was doing. He was waiting for the photo." He also commented, "I didn't have to ask him run until the turn and as soon as I did, he gave me everything. He was gone."

Roman Cruz is familiar with riding thoroughbreds for distance, so when he came around the bend of the 870, he explained, "I saw the outside horse was coming, but I just had patience before asking from him and it was all over. Patience will make you better."

O Donavan Rossa clocked an 88 speed index with an 11 mph crosswind in :46.083 seconds. The victory paid $3.20 win to on 2/1 odds.

Trained by Dee Keener, O Donavan Rossa has 11 wins in his career with seven of them in stakes competition, including the Will Rogers Distance Challenge Championship [G3], Debbie Schauf Remington Park Invitational Championship Stakes [G1], Pauls Valley Stakes [G2], SLM Big Daddy Stakes, Walter Merrick Stakes and Devil His Due Stakes. The $19,059 winner's share of tonight's purse increases his earnings to $289,453.

Keener commended Cruz, saying, "he just let the horse settle at the turn and it was a perfect move." He also said, "We will run in the Pauls Valley Stakes next month and then the Remington Park Distance Championship at the end of the meet."

J Garvan Kelly bred the six-year-old gelding in Oklahoma out of Shanachee by Country Chicks Man. He is owned by Kelly Yother Equine, LLC.

Tight at the rail, Invincible Streak opened up on the inside around the bend and got through for second best under the guidance of Eugenio Navarrete Jr. The three-year-old son of Painted Dash has two career wins with $33,570 in earnings.

Bred by Paul Newmaster in Kansas, the three-year-old gelding is out of Streaking Senorita by Ten Streaks. Trainer Stacey Capps saddled Invincible Streak for owner Paula Marchant.

Rock Ya Later, ridden by Ali Rivera, made a late gain four wide for third. The three-year-old Texas-bred gelding has two wins and $34,734 in the bank. He was a finalist in the SLM Big Daddy Stakes [G2] last month.

Trainer Tammy Johnson conditions Rock Ya Later for Rockin J Running Horses. The son of Rock Solid Jess was bred by Melissa Slayton out of the Separatist mare Dosvedanya.

Markus Aurelius, Dak, Whynnmesomemoney and Kornfusion round out the order of finish.

Remington Park racing continues next week with a Thursday-Sunday schedule, April 11-14. The first post nightly is 6 p.m. with the exception of Sundays when the first race goes off at 4 p.m. All times are Central.

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About Remington Park

Remington Park has provided more than $345 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 presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The Remington Park Futurity for Oklahoma-breds is featured on April 27. The 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1. starts its 50-date season. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.