It was a thrilling outcome that went all the way to the wire. Thrilling, but I can’t say that I was surprised by any aspect of the race.
First off – build it and they will come! “They” may not have been they in quantity, but it surely qualified for they in quality. The Governor’s Cup was bumped form $100,000 to $200,000 as part of the Global Gaming Triple, a series of three races which linked two G3 Lone Star Park stakes races, the Texas Mile and the Lone Star Park Handicap along with the Governor’s Cup here at RP. The series also included a $20,000 bonus for the owner & trainer of any horse which competed in all three legs. The bonus lured Get In Da House from his native Louisiana; the $200,000 secured Alternation and Prayer For Relief. The pair ran 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Oklahoma Derby last year and they were separated by a long neck. It was a treat to see them back again and if it weren’t for a last minute change, Redeemed (the Oklahoma Derby winner of last year) would have been part of the battle. Instead the two headliners carried the show.
Prayer For Relief drew post 1 and went off as the 2nd-choice at 8-5. Trainer Steve Asmussen named journeyman (and once-retired) jockey Mark Guidry to ride. Guidry has ridden over 5,000 winners and doesn’t wilt under pressure. Alternation was the heavy local favorite. He drew the outside post 5 and his regular rider Luis Quinonez, a winner of more than 3,000 races (over 1,000 at RP) was aboard. While Asmussen has won more training titles at Remington Park than trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel, DKVH has lived in the Greater OKC area for many years and is the real Golden Boy of RP.
Since the blanket finish in the 2011 Oklahoma Derby, Alternation has won three stakes races, and has won three of four graded stakes. Since the OK Dby, Prayer For Relief has run seven times – all races were either G1 or G2 stakes. You get the picture, there were two heavy-hitters and they were getting ready to throw it down.
Based on running styles and post positions, in my mind’s eye, I saw Guidry going to the front and hugging the rail. I also felt Quinonez would not let Guidry slip away. Alternation is very adaptable and I figured he’d park right alongside of Prayer For Relief. He did.
From the time they left the gate at the green & white furlong pole in front of the grandstand, until they were bobbing heads under the finish line, Prayer For Relief and Alternation were never more than a half-length apart. It was like a match race. I’m sure the Affirmed & Alydar match-ups offered more drama, as did the Alysheba v Ferdinand, or Easy Goer v Sunday Silence bouts. However, it was an athletic and artistic piece of work that transpired in the race for the $120,000 winner’s share of the $200,000 purse.
I got what I expected from the horses; a top effort from two top-shelf handicap runners. I also got what I hoped for from the riders; two jockeys who put sensible rides on their mounts. Because Guidry and Quinonez didn’t get excited, we, the fans, were left with plenty to get excited about. I loved it. By the time the two horses had settled into stride moving through the first turn it was evident that both riders were equally settled. Guidry was content that Alternation had not crossed over in front of him; Quinonez was happy that Prayer For Relief was not loose on the lead. It must have been so soothing for both riders to be cruising down the backstretch as if it were a morning breeze.
When big time horses are travelling comfortably on the lead, side-by-side down the backstretch, that usually means a big finish is eminent. It was. Keep in mind that the two heavyweights weren’t out clear on the lead; they had Stachys and Dreaminofthewin nipping at their heels throughout. Guidry and Quinonez knew they needed to stay snug and sit quietly. It was the beautiful balance of simultaneously riding both offensively and defensively. Entering the far turn neither jockey had asked his horse yet; one rider was likely waiting for the other to flinch. It was sure to happen within the upcoming furlong, it would then be up to the other horse and rider to bring it. They did. Battles to the finish happen nearly every day at nearly every racetrack, but when they unfold as this race did and at the class and quality level of both horse and rider, it can be a thing of beauty. It was a masterpiece!
Each time a jockey asked, his horse gave more. It was an all-out effort from four talented athletes – those in-stride and those astride. A punch; a counter punch; crosses were thrown; whips popped; riders pumped; horses flexed. It was a classic finish. At the wire it was Alternation who held off the resurgent Prayer For Relief by a long nose. I can honestly say, both riders rode perfect races. And I feel just as strongly that what both horses proved on paper, is exactly what they revealed on the racetrack.
Something special took place Opening Weekend at Remington Park. We were blessed to see some shining stars. I believe more will glisten. See for yourself...
Go to www.remingtonpark.com click on Racing; click on Replays.
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