Q & A with Wisconsinite Zach Weber

We have some incredible fans and industry experts around the nation that we had to hunt down for some personal insights. Check out the thoughts and opinions of Indiana native, Wisconsin dwelling, horse racing enthusiast, Zach Weber!

How did you fall in love with horse racing?  

For three years I watched the Kentucky Derby. Then, finally in 2012 I decided to finally make a bet. I went to a local OTB in Illinois and I put $50 Across the Board on I'll Have Another; that was my very first bet.... The rest is history!

Do you have a favorite racetrack? 

Los Al, Canterbury and of course Remington. Given work and the fact that my wife and I are raising three little rascals, the night races are always better for us. It gives me all day to (try to) handicap. 

I used to attend countless races a season when I lived in Chicago, but, since we moved to Wisconsin it is only three or four times a year. Have I mentioned raising three little ones? Haha

Who is / was your favorite racehorse of all time?
Moonist for sure. RIP...

Okay. You have to choose. Quarter horse or Thoroughbred season? 

Quarter horse…. Fast and furious!

If you ever own a racehorse, what will you name it?
Tabasco Cat! (no hesitation)

What is the most you've won in a wager? 

A little over $4,000 at ASD. Yes… ASD.

What is your go-to racetrack grub?
Fries on fries on fries.

What is your favorite aspect of the horse racing industry?

The twitter horse racing crowd. They can be cynical and just plain mean at times, but I love them and their competitiveness to death. Plus it’s entertaining.

How have you seen the industry change over the years? 

Steady as it goes.

Zach has been known to take our very own Blaze on adventures with his kiddos and fellow racing mascots nationwide! Belly laughs are a given when you put these two together.

Stay tuned for next week's Q & A segment featuring the next mystery racing guest!

Written by:

Krystal Nelson

Facebook: Remington Park 

Twitter: @remingtonpark // @therpblaze

Instagram: @remingtonpark //@therpblaze

Snapchat: RemingtonParkOK

Q & A with Melissa Bauer-Herzog

We have some incredible fans and industry experts around the nation that we had to hunt down for some personal insights. Check out the inside thoughts of talented writer and self-proclaimed horse obsessor, Melissa Bauer-Herzog!

How did you fall in love with horse racing?  

I grew up on a cattle farm and rode horses from a young age. It was probably destined that I become a fan however, as my grandma grew up in Kentucky and moved to Washington in her 20s.

I was at a friend’s house in 2000 and we were watching a live feed of Del Mar. Point Given broke his maiden that day and I fell in love with him. It was until the middle of 2001 that I really got into horse racing and joined all the horse racing email groups (Yahoo email groups were kind of the Twitter/Facebook of the era) and started learning more.

How many races do you go to in a typical year? 

Too many to count! One of my favorites isArlington Park. It's a kind of paradise inside a city (it’s right outside of Chicago). There is so much to see and do at the track. I’ve gone to the Arlington Million for four years and still don’t think I’ve seen every part of the grandstand. Every year I find somewhere I haven’t been before. The infield is also outstanding!

What’s your most memorable racing memory?

St. Nicholas Abbey. The things he did in his career were spectacular and he ran his heart out every single time. His win in the 2013 Dubai Sheema Classic after losing a heartbreaker to Cirrus Des Aigles is still one of my favorite memories (and the stretch drive is my ringtone).

Have you ever owned or trained a race horse? 

I just jumped into ownership this year. I own part of a 2-year-old Bullet Train gelding named South Upper, who hasn’t started yet.

What is your favorite aspect of the horse racing industry?
Watching horses live up to their potential. I love the bloodstock side of the industry because I can watch a horse that I foaled out or saw sell as a youngster bloom into a Grade 1 winner. The fun part is trying to figure out who is going to be really good and seeing if they live up to your expectations. The flip side of that is being frustrated when that horse decides he or she would rather do something other than race.

How have you seen the industry change over the years? 

Since joining the sport as a professional I’ve seen it become more open to people who want to get involved in the sport. I was warned when I first came into racing around 2009-2010 that it could be hard to find opportunities and that seemed to be a bit of the case when I moved to Kentucky in 2012. But I quickly learned that if you really want to get involved in it and people can see that, they’ll help you find positions and assist you in any way they can. 

Social media plays a huge part in that as well because now you can make connections fairly easy on Twitter and Facebook where even five years ago you were more at the mercy of cold calling or emailing someone when looking for a job. My biggest advice is to create a social presence and just chat with people on there. You’ll learn a lot and make connections and friends in the industry! A lot of us on Twitter are more than willing to give advice or even pass along job openings we know of if we think you are serious about horse racing.

Melissa loves taking Blaze on her many racing adventures! They have been known to watch races from the treetops and travel far and wide for world renown races!

Stay tuned for next week's Q & A segment featuring the next mystery racing guest!

Written by:

Krystal Nelson

Facebook: Remington Park 

Twitter: @remingtonpark // @therpblaze

Instagram: @remingtonpark //@therpblaze

Snapchat: RemingtonParkOK

Q & A with Racing Fanatic James McCool

We have some incredible fans and industry experts around the nation that we had to hunt down for some personal insights. Check out the inside thoughts of fellow Oklahoman, James McCool!

How did you fall in love with horse racing?  

I grew up an Oklahoma farm ranch, so I was always around horses, but it was my friend from school who took me to Fair Meadows when I was 18 years old that sparked my love for racing. He and his dad were a regular, so he was a great source of knowledge. Campus was a mile from the track, so we would always go between classes and pick up the program for the night. 

What is your favorite racetrack?

Remington is home and it’s just so modern and nice. The facilities and upgrades are amazing. Oaklawn is right there for me as well… It always takes me on a trip to memory lane.

How many races do you go to in a typical year? 

Wow… too many to count! I can count 9 different tracks over the year that I’ve been to in a single year, maybe more.

What’s your most memorable racing memory?

For me it’s that run Smarty Jones made at Oaklawn. Sweeping all the 3 year old preps there  and the buzz at the track.

Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse season, if you had to choose?

Thoroughbred. It takes longer to lose your money!

Have you ever owned or trained a race horse? 

Yep! None currently that are at the track. I have 2 retired that are at my farm, Bully and Red.

Favorite race day munchies….and GO

The gigantic nachos from Bricktown Brewery!!! 

What is the most you have won when betting? $20,214.00 would be the biggest hit to date on a multi race wager at Del Mar a couple summers ago.

What is your favorite aspect of the horse racing industry?

Horse racing has always been my way to get away from it all, and it’s allowed me to make invaluable friendships over the years at multiple tracks.

How have you seen the industry change over the years? 

Accessibility for one. There are SO many more ways now for fans to get involved now than ever before!

Below you will see James on one of his many adventures with one of our very own, Blaze! They have been known to chase rainbows as they road trip from track to track.

Stay tuned for next week's Q & A segment featuring the next mystery racing guest!

Written by:

Krystal Nelson

Facebook: Remington Park 

Twitter: @remingtonpark // @therpblaze

Instagram: @remingtonpark //@therpblaze

Snapchat: RemingtonParkOK

RP SEASON QUEST - TB 2016

             Erik McNeil:

             RP SEASON QUEST    --   A SEASON-LONG JOCKEY FOLLOW-ALONG VIDEO SERIES

The joys of winning are always appealing, but the rigors of achieving the win are equally compelling.      

The video portrayal of a day in the life of a jockey is interesting; however, that specific video story is not unique, plus it has a short shelf life.  But!  The depiction of an entire racing season in the life of a jockey from the start of the meet to the conclusion (as the season evolves), is something that is bright and new.  Using a series of short :60 to :90 second weekly video pieces, the ups and downs and drama of being a jockey will be revealed on the Remington Park Coors & Coors Light Superscreen and via RP social media sources. 

So why Erik McNeil?  I thought it would be interesting for viewers to see a rider who does not typically win a race every day at Remington Park.  A rider who is still eager to win (and is trying) can be a natural underdog. 

And when you factor in Erik’s personality of being: outspoken, clever, sometimes dopey, funny and occasionally oblivious to his surroundings – and standings, you’ve got an elixir for some good television.         At least that’s the plan.  Who knows, maybe Erik will even tell us about a horse he thinks can win its next race?

The intent of RP SEASON QUEST – TB 2016 is to enlighten and entertain the horse racing fan, or potential horse racing fan.  We want you to watch an episode – and then be eager for the next episode. 

In the future, this video series will ideally feature other jockeys, as well as, trainers, owners and possibly even racing fans.  For now, we want to walk, trot and hopefully canter with a member of our jockey colony who is effervescent and unpredictable; and that person, this season, is jockey Erik McNeil.

We hope you enjoy and anticipate this video series.  If you do, please talk and tweet about it. 

Facebook: Remington Park   

Twitter: @remingtonpark   

#rpseasonquest

Written by:

Chris Kotulak

RP SEASON QUEST

Writer & Producer

Gone In a Flash

The Quarter Horses have come and gone from Remington for 2016.  Per every RP QH meet, the season seems to start and finish in the blink of an eye.  Official workouts begin in February, those precious training races follow soon thereafter and by early March we’re off to the races. 

It is always a wild Springtime with something special going on every week. Trials, finals, Extreme Racing, The Kentucky Derby simulcast, the Mega-Card and tons of horsepower, promotions and winning through it all.

A new promotion and added way to win at Remington Park, was our League Night contest and competition.  On Friday nights, guests were encouraged to participate in a free, four-race handicapping contest. There was a weekly $200 cash prize and a $1000 top prize for the 11-week contest.  Those who joined it - enjoyed it. League Night at RP got started off like a winner.  It will return for the 2016 Thoroughbred meet in August. 

Fiesta At The Park faced some weather woes, but once a month Remington Park recognized its many Hispanic guests and horsemen with three events filled with live Mexican music and Mexican food trucks.  The threat of April showers forced one band to relocate inside to our Silks clubhouse restaurant; but on all three occasions there was a nice vibe, vibration and libations.   Long live los churros!

Extreme Racing for Charity is always tough to top and this year was no different.  The Clydesdales cantered, the donkeys ducked (and bucked), the ostriches – odd as ever, and the camel race saw jockey G.R. Carter come out of retirement to win aboard a camel at RP for the third time.  Carter retired from riding as Quarter Horse racing’s all-time leading jockey in wins and earnings.

G. R. retired in 2015 having won 18 Remington Park Leading Jockey titles.  So then, without Carter on his throne, jockey Ivan Carnero was quick to find the lead in the standings and finish up on top.  Ivan is a kind and quiet young man who deserves the charmed life he is living in the saddle.  Many of his wins came astride Clint Crawford trained horses.  Clint tied for the 2015 RP Leading Trainer and won it outright and convincingly this year at RP.

There were many racehorse stars at RP in 2016.  Ivoriona began her career by setting a track record here at 250 yards (13.03).  She went undefeated in three races, leaving it all on the track in a gut-wrenching, dead-heat win (with PHQ Goodbye Earl) in the G1 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity.  Ajs High also won three races; all three were stakes races and all three wins suggest he can face the best of the best in Quarter Horse racing.  However, he did not face Zoomin Effortlessly, who was a thing of beauty.  We only saw Zoomin Effortlessly run twice at RP, but his wins and the post-race winnerviews” with jockey Santos Carrizales were memorable.  Beyond the trainer and owner of the horse, Santos has a remarkable bond with the 5-year-old gelding who he frequently referred to as “a member of the family.” Zoomin Effortlessly also set a track record at 440 yards (20.75) and was voted 2016 Quarter Horse of the Meet. 

Years ago, the AQHA tagged the racing American Quarter Horse as “America’s Fastest Athlete.”  I’ll buy that.  There are many robust, well-trained, equine athletes that come into the RP paddock.  And they are fast!  It was a treat to experience arguably the best-balanced meet of Quarter Horse racing in the world.  

Over 550 times, in typically less than :20 seconds.  Whoosh!  That’s it.  It started and it’s over.  That’s Quarter Horse racing.  And that was RP QH 2016.

Chris Kotulak

June 16, 2016  

                                           5 DATES YOU CAN’T MISS THIS SEASON

1.       

       Fiesta at the Park- April 16^th

Time to FIESTA! Authentic food, beer and live music, now that’s what we call a party… Not to mention some of the best Quarter Horse racing in the nation! So mark your calendars, save the date, you’ll be missing out if you don’t join the fiesta!

2.       Extreme Race Day- April 24^th

From snouts to humps, you can bet they’ll be on the track this day! Ostriches, check. Camels, check. Donkeys, check. Pigs, don’t doubt it. Zebras, you bet and don’t forget about the always amazing Quarter Horses! Think we forgot about your tummy, nope; check out the food truck derby too… It’s a day of EXTREME races and EXTREME giving as we raise money for our Remington Park charities! 

3.       Kentucky Derby- May 7^th

Dress to impress! We know you’ve been waiting all season long for this… From hat contests to mint juleps, this might take the cake as the biggest date of the season and trust us… You want your slice! We know it’s the talk of the town, so talk derby…

4.       Memorial Day- May 30^th

Start with some live music and finish with some live racing. The goodies and giveaways are just the beginning to a day filled with fun. So leave the I’s we’ll dot them and we’ll cross those t’s too… We’ve got Memorial Day covered from the time you walk in the door. Salute!  

5.     Quarter Horse Season Closer- June 4^th

It’s obvious that you don’t want to miss this day… OVER 1 MILLION DOLLARS IN PURSE WINNINGS! Yes, we saved the best for last… This is deserving of a please, thank you and you’re welcome!

Cliff Has Class

Celebrity, or at least notoriety, is a parcel of success. The modern day professional athlete typically gets heaps of attention and a mountainous salary. Too bad their behavior at work and beyond can often be the pits.

A professional athlete has a responsibility to themselves, their team and their public. Nowadays, much practice is needed in the practice of professionalism.

I define the word class as: the intellect of knowing the difference between right and wrong, and making an effort to do what is right. The definition is simple. But so often there is a deficiency in the knowing or doing part – or both.

Cliff Berry is all class. I’ve only known Cliff for five years, but my experience with him in the “working media” and as a friend has been memorable. He has always carried himself as a humble gentleman, he has been dependable and I’m sure he made an effort to do things that he might not have wanted to do. But he did them because he was a professional jockey - and he has class.

Cliff Berry retired as the 44^th all-time leading rider based on wins. All-time! Think about that. If he was ranked 44th for 2015 alone that would be a fine honor, but concluding a career at 44th in the national history of thoroughbred racing might be an accomplishment that Cliff hasn’t yet entirely absorbed. Good for you Cliff Berry.

You’ll genuinely be missed by the thousands of horsemen and handicappers who relied on you.

Godspeed to you and your family good man.

Written by,

Chris Kotulak