Showing posts with label remington park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label remington park. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Time Trials to the Remington Park Futurity - By Scott Wells; President & General Manager

The Inside Track


Unless you know a lot about horse racing you probably don’t know the level of excitement that’ll be happening at Remington Park this weekend. Friday and Saturday nights 200 of the fastest horses on the planet will compete for just ten spots in the lineup for the $1-million Remington Park Futurity. The winner of that race will receive a cool $600,000 for about 17 seconds of all-out sprint. The best of those horses can go from 0 to 55 miles per hour in less than three seconds. If you don’t think that’s flying, stick your head out the window of a car going 55 sometime (when someone else is driving, of course!).

The futurity season is a lot like the scouting combines before the annual NFL Draft: We get to see the top rookie athletes’ show off their best talents. In this case though, the athletes aren’t running 40 yards, they’re running 330 yards—and there’s a lot of money at stake.

Already a certain colt is being touted as the “Number One Draft Pick.” His name is JB James and he has scorched the track here every time he’s had the chance. He looks like a superstar in the making and already the rumors are swirling about some rich Texans who are trying to buy him. If he runs like expected to on Saturday night, his price will likely soar into the millions.

There’s a lot of money to be made for bettors on trial nights, too. Our professional handicappers take a lot of pride in their tip sheets and they’ve been studying these rookie colts in their workouts and training races all year. I personally recommend Marilyn Toney’s yellow tip sheet. No one does a better job of picking winners and suggesting good money plays than Marilyn.

The races start at 6pm Friday and Saturday nights and the top qualifiers to the big race won’t be known until around 10:30. You can watch from trackside, from Henry Hudson’s, from the Silks dining room, or the Bricktown Brewery in the casino or even from the balconies outside our luxury suites! We never charge admission and we always provide free valet parking and a guaranteed good time.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Shout Your Tout Video Challenge! Submit your video and you could win a Kindle Fire!

Submit your video and you could win a Kindle Fire,  a day at Remington Park, and other awesome prizes!
So what do you need to do to win? Simple. Make a video with your phone using the TOUT app. Create a video of the one-of-a-kind winning feeling you have when you experience Remington Park horse racing during the 2012 Quarter Horse Season.  Your entry MUST include the following:
·   Upload your video on your profile at TOUT.com
·   Get creative, you have 15 seconds – All qualified videos will be featured on our Super Screen at Remington Park during the 2012 Quarter Horse Season.

And the best of all we’re not asking you to do it for free. Check out the great prizes below!


Prizes:
GRAND PRIZE:
The grand prize winner will receive a brand new Kindle Fire


2nd Place:
• Dinner for two at Bricktown Brewery ($40 value)
• $30 in Free Play
 3rd Place:
• Dinner for two at Bricktown Brewery ($30 value)
• $30 in Free Play
4th Place:
• Dinner for two at Bricktown Brewery ($30 value)
• $20 in Free Play
5th Place:
• Dinner for two at Bricktown Brewery ($20 value)
• $20 in Free Play
HOW TO ENTER:
1-      Tout Your Shout to Remington Park with your Smartphone  - WWW.TOUT.COM
2-     E-mail your entry to: Yenni.Vance@RemingtonPark.com

3-     Follow Remington Park on Tout- and watch our Touts as they happen - http://www.tout.com/u/remingtonpark -


Selection and Notification of Winners
Winner’s Selection:
Remington Park will let our Tout fans vote for their favorite submissions. The 5 finalists with the most “Likes” on their TOUT Videos will win the contest.
The voting starts on 05/01/2012 and closes on 06/04/2012 at noon.
The 5 final winners will be announced on 06/04/2012 at 2:00pm on our TOUT account http://www.tout.com/u/remingtonpark


PROMOTIONAL PERIOD


Video submission begins on Thursday, March 8th 2012 and concludes on Monday, May 30th 2012.


Important Official Rules and Guidelines:
        

·         Videos have to feature Remington Park location 
·         Don’t show anything violent or illegal or tasteless.      
·         Keep it family friendly.
·         You need to own the rights to post your video – don’t use copyrighted materials unless you have permission.       
·         We reserve the right to reject any submission.        
·         Post your video on Tout.com, email us the links, and we send you a confirmation – once you receive this your entry is official. Official e-mail for entry is Yenni.Vance@RemingtonPark.com ·         You have to e-mail us with the link before midnight on Wednesday, May 30th 2012 to qualify.      
·         Winners will be notified by e-mail and Tout!
·         Submissions are accepted from anyone.


Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash or substituted for any other items by winners. The winners cannot assign or transfer prize. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a comparable prize of like or greater value, including cash, for any prize, for any reason.
Remington Park reserves the right to cancel this contest at its discretion.


Remington Park shall not be responsible for any possible technical difficulties or delays which might otherwise affect eligibility.

Participation in this promotion is an agreement to abide by these Official Rules. Failure to comply with these Official Rules may result in disqualification from the promotion and a forfeiture of any prizes.

Acceptance of the prize constitutes winner’s permission for Remington Park to use his/her likeness or name for publicity or promotional uses without compensation or notice. Winner must agree to sign a publicity release form before prize will be released.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Pinterest Contest! - Horse Racing Makes My Heart Race!

Best Board could win some awesome prizes!
Starting on March 12th, 2012 at 8 am CT, we’re launching our first themed contest on Pinterest and you’re invited! Gather your best horse racing photos, because we’re looking for two cohesive boards that will inspire the world to love horse racing! 
To enter, create a board, title it “Horse Racing Makes My Heart Race” then add a description of your aesthetic to your board. Make sure your board contains each of the 5 pins listed below, in no particular order. In each pin’s caption, include thename that the pin corresponds to for the contest, along with the hashtags #horseracing, #letYourHeartRace and #RemingtonPark. When your board is perfect, share it with us by posting a comment on the original contest announcement pin, with a link to your board, located in our “I love Horse Racing” board (Link to the promotion)
PINS:
- Best Horse Racing Moments

-My favorite Horses

- Beautiful Horses

- My favorite racetracks

-  My favorite memories

Will you say “Yes” to this awesome contest?   Make sure to check the details below. Your board could win (1) Remington Park “SCAN ME” t-shirt, (1) Remington Park Ball Cap and (1) Remington Park Hoodie!
*2 winners total*
 •You must follow @RemingtonPark on Pinterest to enter.
• Make sure you credit and link the photos to its original creator
 •Contest begins March 12th, 2012 at 8 a.m, and ends April 13th, 2012 at 12pm
• Each pin must include a caption listing the number and name that the pin corresponds to.
 •Each pin must include the hashtags  #horseracing, #letYourHeartRace and #RemingtonPark
•Only one entry board per person.
•Boards will be judged based on uniqueness, creativity and adherence to the guidelines.
 •Winners will be announced April 14th, 2012 at 12pm

•Pinterest is by invition only. You can request an invite from Pinterest.com   

We can’t wait to see the creative you share with us and Pinterest!
Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash or substituted for any other items by winners. The winners cannot assign or transfer prize. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a comparable prize of like or greater value, including cash, for any prize, for any reason.

Remington Park reserves the right to cancel this contest at its discretion.

Remington Park shall not be responsible for any possible technical difficulties or delays which might otherwise affect eligibility.

Participation in this promotion is an agreement to abide by these Official Rules. Failure to comply with these Official Rules may result in disqualification from the promotion and a forfeiture of any prizes.

Acceptance of the prize constitutes winner’s permission for Remington Park to use his/her likeness or name for publicity or promotional uses without compensation or notice. Winner must agree to sign a publicity release form before prize will be released.
Follow Remington Park on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/remingtonpark/

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

SCAN ME! Remington Park T-Shirt Giveaway!

Add +Remington Park on your circles, post or share the message below on your Google+ profile (don't forget to tag +Remington Park!)  And you could be one of our 20 lucky winners to win one “Scan Me Remington Park T-Shirt”.

Message:
“Help +Remington Park to reach 400 followers!.  Share this message and you could win one SCAN ME! Remington Park T-Shirt!  20 winners total!”.
New and existing followers are eligible to participate. -U.S. residents only –
-Please read full contest rules below-

Selection of Winners and Announcement:
1. Upon reaching 400 followers, +Remington Park will randomly select a winner using random.org.
2. Winner will be contacted via Google+.
3. Winner then has exactly 48 hours to reply our message; if the winner fails to reply +Remington Park within the time limit another winner will be selected.
4. +Remington Park will then email the winner and ensure delivery of the prizes.
GENERAL RULES:
- Must “Circle” +Remington Park and share the message on your Google+ profile.
 - Only one name submission per person.

 - Must be 18 or older to claim the prizes.
- Remington Park reserves the right to remove any contestant or entry from the contest in case of fraud.
 - The prize is nontransferable .
- No cash option.
Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash or substituted for any other items by winners. The winners cannot assign or transfer prize. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a comparable prize of like or greater value, including cash, for any prize, for any reason.
Remington Park reserves the right to cancel this contest at its discretion.
Remington Park shall not be responsible for any possible technical difficulties or delays which might otherwise affect eligibility.
Participation in this promotion is an agreement to abide by these Official Rules. Failure to comply with these Official Rules may result in disqualification from the promotion and a forfeiture of any prizes.
 Acceptance of the prize constitutes winner’s permission for Remington Park to use his/her likeness or name for publicity or promotional uses without compensation or notice. Winner must agree to sign a publicity release form before prize will be released.
This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, GOOGLE+.  You are providing your information to Remington Park and not to GOOGLE+. The information you provide will only be used by Remington Park for SCAN ME! Remington Park T-Shirts Giveaway.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Meet Dana Kirk, Our Team Member of the Month!

Overseeing basically anything that is printed at Remington Park, Dana has probably touched almost everything you see in the way of signage or other materials on property.   

Passionate and tireless, especially when it comes to the major presentations concerning the biggest events at Remington Park (like the Oklahoma Derby and the special color program insert that requires extreme detail) Dana will often stay through the entire night’s racing program to ensure a production project she is on continues to progress or gets put to its final bed. This includes the tremendous patience practiced while waiting for the writers she works with to turn their materials over so she can finish.

Dana began her run at Remington Park in 1997, joining the team in an event whirlwind of a Kentucky Derby weekend and getting married. Hired to compile the daily/nightly live racing program, her role quickly expanded to include all simulcast materials and eventually property signage, supervising printing and supplies, to assisting with all things marketing when that department had a much smaller staff than the current configuration.

A horse lover, Dana has added to her workload by taking on the second job of managing a racing stable and overseeing the well-being of her athletes when they are living on her property.


For Employment Opportunities Visit Remington Park Website

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Meet Derrick Dillahunty, Our Team Member of the Month!

Derrick was born and raised in the Oklahoma City area.  He began his career at Remington Park in August of 2010 as a Club Remington Team Member.  His was a great asset in helping to implement the change in the new Oasis players system helping not only the guest but his fellow team members.


Derrick has shown by his actions and personality that our guests receive the very best in Customer Service.  Many have made it known to Casino Management that Derrick is helpful, pleasant and friendly when they have asked questions or need assistance.  There have also been others, who didn’t ask for help but Derrick noticed they may need assistance and stepped up to assist however possible. Not only is Derrick a strong Team Member in Club Remington, but he is also a great host while out working on the Casino floor.
Also, Derrick is currently serving in the Army Reserves.  While his plate appears to be full, he is such an out- going go-getter, that even with working a full time job & serving in the Reserves, he is also currently pursuing a career in the music industry.
When he actually does have free time, he enjoys spending time with his family.
We appreciate you Derrick. Because of your thoughtfulness and eagerness to help others, you are a true example of what Excellent Guest Service is at Remington Park.  Congratulations to you for being awarded Team Member of the Month!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

KOTULAK JOINS REMINGTON PARK TEAM, SEASON OPENS AUG. 18

Remington Park is proud to announce the addition of Chris Kotulak to its team, as preparations continue leading to the start of the 2011 Thoroughbred Season in two weeks.

Kotulak will serve in a number of capacities at Remington Park, utilizing his wealth of knowledge collected from a career in racing that began in his home state of Nebraska and has taken him to numerous destinations throughout North America and the world. 

“Remington Park has become an overwhelmingly popular hub for Midwest racing,” Kotulak noted. “I am proud to be able to share my experience, love and enthusiasm for horse racing with top class people at a fantastic facility.”

Kotulak has performed many roles in racing, including calling the races at a number of tracks and appearing on camera as a host and handicapper. Most recently, he served as an anchor and reporter at TVG, covering racing for the network since 2003.

“I am inspired by the video presentation of Remington Park. Each racing day is treated as if it is an individual television broadcast. I am eager to participate in the contemporary way they communicate and connect with the race fans.”

Kotulak will join Remington Park host Joy Rose for the televised racing presentation and spell track announcer Dale Day on occasion, in addition to working as a member of the marketing and communication teams.

“Having Chris Kotulak with us will continue to increase awareness of the Remington Park racing product on a national basis,” Day said. “He has already brought an infusion of energy and ideas that we will implement.”

Born and raised in Omaha, Neb., Kotulak began calling races at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Neb. in 1986. In addition to working at other tracks in Nebraska, including Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha, he also has stops at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif., Delta Downs in Vinton, La. and has a previous stop in Oklahoma.

“I also worked two seasons at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla.,” Kotulak reminded. “I am delighted to be reunited with my friends here, as well as other longtime racing friends from Iowa, Arkansas, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico, and I’m making new friends every day.” 

The Remington Park Thoroughbred Season begins a 67-date run on Thursday, Aug. 18 and continues thru Saturday, Dec. 10. A stakes schedule of 28 events, with total purses of more than $3.2 million, is headlined by the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, Oct. 16.

The Opening Weekend of the season is headlined by a pair of listed stakes events on Saturday, Aug. 20 in the $200,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup, for 3-year-olds and older at six furlongs, and the $100,000 Governor’s Cup at 1-1/18 miles, also for 3-year-olds and up.

Until the return of live racing, casino gaming, featuring 750 machines in Oklahoma City’s only casino, and simulcast racing continues on a daily basis.

Open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park also features Henry Hudson’s on the first floor, which opens for lunch at 11am. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park. 


Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino, located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, 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.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

That cowboy part of my heart ..

By Lloyd Rolfes II 

Remington Park Director of Internal Compliance and Surveillance


 
My mother put me on horseback at an early age. Well, the horse was actually a pony, and it was led around the older inner-city neighborhoods of New Orleans by a little grey-haired man who was promoting the sale of photographs of children on his palomino pony. This early experience being astride a horse (pony), was enough to spark a keen, on-going interest in horses.

From that fateful day of the pony photo, I could no longer pass one of those mechanical horse rides on the sidewalks in front of stores, without begging my mother for several nickels, to facilitate a number of consecutive riding sessions. My growing obsession with horseback riding became so great that my mom & dad had to find another venue to satisfy my lust for riding those spirited stallions of the sidewalk, and save those mounting numbers of spent nickels. They tried introducing me to the comparatively slow-moving, up and down, carousel horses at City Park, but they were just too tame for me. Not to mention, the accompanying calliope music did not befit the rugged pursuit of horseback riding for a burgeoning cowboy.


Being an admittedly spoiled child, my parents bought for me a spring mounted, wooden rocking/bucking bronco of my very own, and placed it on our front porch. I fondly remember those many hours spent in the great outdoors of the inner-city, which were plainly visible from our screened porch. Each riding session found me appropriately wearing my Buffalo Bob boots, Hop-A-Long Cassidy leather chaps, Roy Rodgers cowboy hat, and The Cisco Kid six shooters. I am sure that you must have shared similar experiences in your youth.


The joy of horseback riding, and my ever improving riding prowess, would have gone on much longer, were it not for a tragic riding accident. My joy of riding was cut short one fateful day, when my young sister (five years my junior) was out on the porch watching my skillful riding exhibitions. All of a sudden, without time to react, my sister got too close to my exuberant steed while he was in mid-stride. Her shrieks of glee, laughter, and excitement, were shattered by screams of pain, and the splattering of bright red blood across the floor of the porch. She had been struck in the mouth by my beloved horse, and one of her front baby teeth was knocked out. The sight of her gleaming white, cavity free tooth, resting on the floor of the porch, in a pool of her own crimson life's blood, was just too much for me to bare. I was so traumatized by this event, I never wanted to ride another horse, again. I didn't even protest when my mom & dad gave away my beloved equine to one of my cousins.

 
To this very day, it is difficult to gaze upon those old family photos that show my sister smiling with that horrid gap between her front teeth, caused by my obsession with the horse.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Meet Megan Hite, Our Team Member of the Month!


Megan Hite joined the Remington Park family in February of 2011 as a Guest Service Representative on the Casino floor. Since Megan has joined our team she has shown nothing but exceptional work. She takes pride in everything that she does and there will never be a time when you don’t find a smile on her face. Although she first appears quiet, she has a big personality and actually is very outgoing. Megan is the type of person willing to help anyone around her with everything and anything no matter what is needed.

Megan was home schooled until the eighth grade at which point she attended and graduated from Putman City West.  She was enrolled in AP classes and was always listed on the Honor Roll.

Megan lives at home and helps with her mother, grandmother, and two younger sisters, ages 12 and 13, who look up to her. When Megan is not at work or helping at home she is spending time with her boyfriend /best friend Chris.

In her spare time Megan can be found either at the arcade, drawing, or writing. She also enjoys playing pool, which her friends say she has a killer under the leg shot and beats them every time. In the future Megan would like to continue her desire to help people by going to school to become a Medical Assistant.

Way to go Megan- you deserve Team Member of the Month!!!

For Employment Opportunities Visit Remington Park Website

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Meet David Barrow, Our Team Member of the Month!




Normally working well behind the scenes, David Barrow can be seen out with other frontline team members, usually when behind a video camera. By working behind cameras and microphones and at the controls of his editing suite inside the Remington Park Television Control room, David is always attempting to make the other frontline team members and Remington Park in general, look their best.

He is constantly called upon by many in management/marketing to come up with a video piece for promotion or presentation, and many times the calls for his talents do not come with much advance notice. Despite these ‘on-demand’ challenges, David perseveres with a positive attitude to get the assignment done as quickly, efficiently and professionally as possible in order to make the needed deadline.

Beginning his Remington Park career as a tower camera operator, David’s artistic talents with graphics and animation brought him inside the control room to continue working with the television production and marketing teams. Recently graduating from an extensive and long course in animation, David’s enthusiasm for the medium has been displayed in his work for some time and is often used to accentuate a production package. His education continues as the advent of the 50-foot Super Screen video board brought with it the need to work in high-definition, both shooting and editing. We will all see the results of that work coming up in the Thoroughbred Season later this year.

For Employment Opportunities Visit Remington Park Website

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Meet David Garrison, Our Team Member of the Month!






David Garrison is an important part of Remington Park. Facilities/Cleaning Services, as a department, could not do most of what we do without him. He is very well liked and respected by his department as well as all Team Members and he is always available for a smile or a quick Hello!

David started at Remington Park in the Summer of 1988 about a month before Opening Day. A Don McGlory Cleaning Group came in to detail our building from top to bottom. They didn’t stop cleaning for a week. He tells us that after that week he didn’t think Remington was the right place for him and went back to work at another building that Don’s service cleaned. However after just a few months, Don called him and told him he was needed here at Remington. So David came, and he’s been here ever since.

David enjoys spending time with his children and 31 (almost 32) grandchildren. He spends long hours cooking for his family throughout the year, holidays, summer, almost any time! His food is just awesome! He also loves his motorcycle and hopes to go on a long bike trip soon.

Congratulations David!!! We are so proud of you and very happy to have you as a part of our team for almost 23 years! You are and have been a Leader to many Team Members and this award could not have gone to a more deserving Leader!

Remington Park website

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Things are heating up here @ Remington Park!!!!



By Scott Wells President & General Manager and defending champion!

OK, I’m getting very antsy. I ride in the Camel Race next Sunday afternoon during our Extreme Racing program. If you missed it last year, whatever you do, don’t miss it again!

That cocky jockey G.R. Carter (8-time World Champion) has been talking trash all week and I’ve been giving back just as much smack as possible—but pretty soon the talking part will be over and I’ll have to prove myself on the track atop 1500 pounds of bellowing camel. That’s right—camels make this roaring/growling/bellowing sound that’d scare a grizzly bear! I’m pretty sure lions don’t mess with them.

I have a perfect record of one win in as many starts and I’d sure hate to mess that up. You see, G.R. Carter isn’t the only one I have to worry about. Jockey Jennifer Schmidt is riding in the race, too, as is trainer Luis Villafranco. And what’s worse is that, despite my request, the two jockeys don’t have to carry any extra weight! Luis and I are both a burrito or two over the 170-lb mark and GR and Jennifer only weigh about 120! I can only hope my camel “Sandblaster” is as fast as the one I rode last year. I also hope he’s more controllable! That desert demon I rode last year made a right turn with me right out of the starting gate and almost went over the outside rail before I got him straightened out.

Maybe G.R. and Jennifer will get banged up in the Ostrich Race before the main event. I’m too heavy to ride an ostrich and believe me, I wouldn’t want to anyway. At least a camel is a little bit like a horse, of which I’ve ridden plenty. Those ostriches are CREEPY! I must admit, though, they’re sure fun to watch, with those jockeys clinging to them like fleas!

By the way, all the ostriches and the camels will be available for you and your friends to get your photos taken with them prior to the races. Just don’t get too close with them if you’re holding a bag of popcorn! I can tell you from experience that both species LOVE them some popcorn! Hey—maybe that could be my key to victory. Don’t tell anyone but I might just sprinkle some popcorn in the starting gate stalls of my competitors. Hey—all’s fair in love and war and Extreme Racing at Remington Park! See you on Sunday!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Meet Estell Laster, Our Team Member of the Month!



Estell Laster was born in Enid, Oklahoma. He began his career where his Father owned a café. Later in life Estell moved to Kansas City and from there, also worked in several restaurants in Chicago. A few years ago, he chose to move back to Oklahoma and eventually came to RP during 2008 to work in Remi's. Estell has been a star player on the F&B/Culinary Team ever since.

Last year, Estell suffered a serious injury and we had to work without him for several months. His absence was sorely felt! We had several regular customers inquire about his well being on a regular basis. Our guests were very happy to see him return, as was all of the Culinary Team.

His dedication was proven when he recently helped get us through the snow storm by staying over 3 nights at Remington Park to ensure culinary operations were maintained, as travel was greatly impaired, if not impossible.

Estell has a passion for fishing and also raises livestock.

Congratulations to Estell Laster, you are truly part of the show!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Chaplain and Jockey Visit Children...


Chaplain and Jockey Visit Children at the Oklahoma Children's Cancer Center on November 9th.



Sandy Steinberg made arrangements for Chaplain Carl Crisswell and Jockeys, Curtis Kimes and Louis Povar to meet with Kay Tangner, a volunteer at the Center. Kay had the kids primed and ready for the visit.

On the table a race track with toy horses was created and along with the pictures of real race experiences the jockeys provided, the kids could simulate actual races.

Chaplain Crisswell had hoped for more jockeys to represent Remington Park, however these two were just what the 'doctor' ordered and proved to be perfect ambassadors for RP. Their interaction with the children, especially Curtis who was awesome, along with Louis's photography (he brought his own camera) made the day.

All of the pictures shown here along with many more are now posted on the Center's bulletin board for everyone at the Center to enjoy.

Upon asking Kay what additional needs the Center had, she responded with "Toys". Toys are given at special times during the children's treatments, for example; finishing chemotherapy.


Currently the plan is for the Chaplain and volunteer Jockeys to visit the Center during each Race Meet.

If you are interested in donating toys and/or visiting the Oklahoma Children's Cancer Center please contact Chaplain Carl Crisswell or Sandy Steinberg.

Phone number: (405) 425-3271

Story Information per Chaplain Crisswell

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Reflections on a Remarkable Season


By Scott Wells
President & General Manager

Reflections on a Remarkable Season: As president and GM of this amazing place (Remington Park), I often get so caught up in the day-to-day operations and all the little “brushfires” that crop up that I don’t take time to appreciate the big picture. But with only 8 nights of racing left in the 2010 Thoroughbred season, and with just a month to go in 2010 period, I’d like to share with you a few of the things which amuse and amaze me as I take a quick look back:

Fifty Million Dollars! This month we passed the $50,000,000 mark in our contributions to Oklahoma Education. That’s especially important when I hear our state politicians talking about budget deficits and service cuts. With Oklahoma ranking near the bottom in several important educational categories, all of us at Remington Park are glad we’re doing our part to help Oklahoma’s students.

All-Stars! We’ve had more Hall of Famers, Eclipse Award winners, Kentucky Derby winners, Preakness winners and Breeders’ Cup winners at Remington Park in 2010 than we’ve had in all the previous years combined! The first weekend of the Thoroughbred season, Calvin Borel, winner of 3 of the last 4 Kentucky Derbies, thrilled a loud and appreciative Remington Park crowd with his winning ride aboard Atta Boy Roy, who went on to be the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Oklahoma Derby week we hosted legendary Hall of Fame jockeys Chris McCarron and Ron Turcotte (the jockey of Secretariat), who signed autographs for thousands of fans. That same week trainers Bob Baffert, Neil Drysdale, Todd Pletcher, Larry Jones, Steve Asmussen and Bret Calhoun all raced horses here. The only ones on that list who aren’t in the Hall of Fame already soon will be. And somehow we seem to overlook two major stars simply because they’re here on such a regular basis-- trainer Cash Asmussen, also a multiple Breeders’ Cup winner, Eclipse Award winner and Europe’s top jockey for more than a decade—and current jockey Aaron Gryder, an all-star jockey if there ever was one! All he did last year was to win the world’s richest race, the $10-million Dubai World Cup—by 14 lengths! The fact that all these celebrities have chosen to race at Remington Park proves that the OKC Thunder isn’t the only world-class sports franchise in town!

The Progress! Bad-looking old TVs? Gone. Replaced with flatscreens. Worn out carpet? Gone. Replaced. Splintered wooden floors? Gone. Replaced with beautiful, sparkling tiles. Outdated slot machines? Gone. Replaced by the most popular machines in existence. Uncomfortable aluminum benches? Gone. Replaced with fun outdoor furniture and umbrellas. Cracked and faded asphalt? Gone. Replaced with cool, colorful paving stones, planters, fountains and waterfalls. Dumpy Trackside Café? Gone. Replaced with Henry Hudson’s Pub. Shag carpet and outdated furniture in the Suites? Gone. Replaced by the best that money can buy. The list goes on and on and will continue to grow with some dramatic soon-to-be-announced improvements. The result? This is not your grandpa’s Remington Park. This is a new and exciting place to meet up with friends and to have a good time. That’s our goal—for you and your friends to have a good time. And nearly 2 million visitors this year are telling us we’re doing a pretty good job of it. But stay tuned. There’s some REALLY exciting stuff coming soon and you won’t want to miss it!

www.remingtonpark.com