Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma

The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma has paid tribute to Remington Park executive vice president Matt Vance for his perseverance in keeping horse racing alive and strong here throughout this two-year pandemic.

“The TRAO takes great pride in giving out the Industry Service Award,” said Danielle Barber, executive director of the TRAO. “In the nine years we have been hosting the Champion Awards banquet, the TRAO has only given out this award three times.”

Vance introduced precautions at Remington Park that helped curtail outbreaks at the Oklahoma City track. He introduced protocols, on behalf of track owner Global Gaming Solutions, that included daily temperature-taking for all employees, mask mandates and social distancing. Remington Park continued racing throughout the past two years with the only missed dates due to severe weather, not health issues.

“Everyone knows what a tough 2020 we all went through with COVID-19, and the challenges racing faced,” said Barber. “Yet, the exceptional guidance Matt Vance demonstrated during the most difficult hardship was undeniable. Remington Park and Thoroughbred horsemen couldn't have asked for better leadership during this time.”

Vance is the executive vice president of both Remington Park and Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. He oversees all live racing, pari-mutuel, simulcasting, operations and track maintenance for both venues.

“Matt's leadership and commitment to horse racing helped us navigate a very trying time during the pandemic at both tracks,” said Skip Seeley, Global Gaming's chief executive officer.

Remington Park's Thoroughbred Season continues Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1-2, with the first race nightly at 7:07pm-Central.

Tracked by more than 167,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $272 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 home for the $1,000,000 Oklahoma Classics Night, an evening of stakes racing to celebrate Oklahoma-breds, on Friday, Oct. 15. Simulcast horse racing featured daily, the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

The post Remington Executive Matt Vance Earns Industry Service Award appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Join in the excitement of live horse racing this spring at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs.

For the 12th consecutive year, top Thoroughbred contenders will compete in more than 270 races from March 22 to May 26 at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla. Races begin at 1:00 p.m.

“As one of only a few tracks running last spring, we are now very rehearsed in conducting a safe race meet under pandemic restrictions and CDC guidelines,” said John Lies, racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “We broke new ground with the extended audience we reached last spring and look forward to keeping their attention with another exciting meet.”

Stakes races begin April 12 with the $50,000 guaranteed Wilma Mankiller Stakes, followed by the $50,000 guaranteed Highland Ice Stakes on April 13. A purse of $55,000 is also guaranteed for the Miranda Diane Stakes on May 3, the TRAO Classic Sprint on May 4, the Cinema Stakes on May 24, and the Will Rogers Stakes on May 25.

Closing out the spring meet stakes races on May 26 are the More Than Even Stakes and the Cherokee Nation Classic Cup. Both races carry a purse of $55,000 guaranteed.

“We worked with the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma to adjust purses and to create the most competitive racing program possible,” Lies said. “Our hope is that the heightened class levels help us retain the stronger collection of shippers we enjoyed last year, while also providing richer opportunities for the local stock.”

The post Live Racing Returns To Will Rogers Downs On March 22 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post