© Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park
OKLAHOMA CITY – April 21, 2019 – The $108,000 Sooner State Stakes for older Oklahoma-breds on Saturday night at Remington Park came down to a thrilling finish between two competitors that could not be separated when it was over. Political Attraction *(Heritage Place Graduate) and Hes Limitless had their noses on the finish line together and were determined to be dead-heat winners of the 400-yard event.
The winners were coming into the race after facing each other in the Eastex Stakes on March 23 when Political Attraction won with Hes Limitless finishing third, three-quarters of a length behind. In the Sooner State Stakes, Political Attraction was slow away from the starting gate with Hes Limitless taking advantage of the opportunity and getting away cleanly.
After running down the early leader, Hooked On A Win, Hes Limitless looked like he might be the only trophy winner in the race. However, Political Attraction continued his advance and over 400 yards was able to end on even terms with his rival as they hit the finish line together in :19.801 over a fast track, each earning an 88 American Quarter Horse Association Speed Index.
“The difference tonight was getting a race underneath him,” trainer John Stinebaugh said of the improvement by Hes Limitless. “This is by far the best he’s ever run at Remington. He’s been so-so and even as a 2-year-old he was so-so. He’s a dead solid horse. Just always does his best every time he comes over.”
Political Attraction gets his second-consecutive stakes victory of the Remington Park season, despite his poor beginning. “He broke a little flat-footed tonight,” noted jockey James Flores. “I stayed out of his way until he got comfortable. I thought we got (Hes Limitless) at the wire, but evidently we got to the finish at the same time.”
Hooked On A Win held on for third, a neck behind the two winners. Political Attraction, the betting favorite at 4-5 odds, paid $2.40 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show. Hes Limitless, at 6-1 odds, paid $4.80 to win, $5 to place and $3.80 to show. Hooked On A Win paid $7 to show.
Political Attraction is owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and Kathy Robinson of Claremore, Okla., and trained by Rick Robinson. The 4-year-old gelding is by Apollitical Jess from the Separatist mare Gunsight Peak and was bred in Oklahoma by Ron Lyles. He won his eighth career start from 16 attempts and made $43,200 for his share of the Sooner State Stakes to move his overall earnings to $431,590.
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Remington Park is always open for casino gaming. Simulcast horse racing is offered daily. Admission, parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park. Guests must be 18 or older in order to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino.
Tracked by more than 153,000 fans on Facebook and more than 9,900 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $216 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 to the Grade 1, $100,000 Leo Stakes on Saturday, May 4. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.