Runaway Argus is top qualifier for Graham Paint/Appaloosa Futurity

OKLAHOMA CITY – Saturday racing at Remington Park featured five trials for the Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity. Runaway Argus, a disappointment in last month’s American Paint Classic, rebounded from that effort to produce the top trial time of the evening for the May 28 final.

 Owned by the Runaway Argus Partnership of Sallisaw, Okla. and trained by Brian Muse, Runaway Argus handled 350 yards under a hand-ride at the end by jockey G.R. Carter. The 2-year-old gelding crossed the finish in :17.521 seconds over a fast track in the first of five trials and the time stood up throughout the process.

Bred in Oklahoma by James Skimbo, Runaway Argus won his second career race from three starts. He won his lifetime debut in a trial for the American Paint Classic, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths. However, he didn’t start as sharp in the final, finishing fourth. A son of SF Royal Quick Flash from the Treasured Too mare Giddy Up, Runaway Argus has now qualified fastest for two consecutive futurities. Saturday’s trial win is worth another $3,384 to his lifetime earnings which stand at $12,803.

Runaway Argus finished a half-length ahead of Flashthechicks in winning his trial over the American Paint Classic champ who qualified with the second-best time. Favored at 6-5 in the wagering, Runaway Argus paid $4.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show.

The field of 10 going to the Grade 1, $246,242 Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity on May 28 is: Runaway Argus, :17.521; Flashthechicks, :17.593; BP Cartels Paint, :17.631; Sunday Sputnik, :17.636; Gotta Quick Grip, :17.639; Two Timin Trixie, :17.688; Ivory Queen, :17.731; Fly Shari Fly, :17.766; Forever Chrome, :17.798 and Mambo Quick Step, :17.807.

Carter also visited the winner’s circle two other times on Saturday night, aboard Sunday Sputnik ($10.80 to win) in race four and Some Are Panthers ($9.80) in race six. The hat trick gives him 77 wins for the season, 25 ahead of Jimmy Brooks who is second with 52 victories.

Remington Park completes the racing weekend with Sunday afternoon action underway at 1:30pm. There are only nine race dates remaining in the 2011 American Quarter Horse & Mixed-breed Season which concludes on Memorial Day, May 30.

Open daily at 10am for casino gaming, 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.