Barney Ofield sets new world record at 440 yards

OKLAHOMA CITY, (Remington) – Top older Paints and Appaloosas had the feature stage Saturday at Remington Park in the Grade 1, $35,000 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Stakes. Barney Ofield stole the show, not only winning the event but crushing the track and world record for a Paint horse at 440 yards.

 Barney Ofield left the starting gate in front and never looked back in rolling through the 440 yards in :21.321 seconds over the fast track. The mark shaved .155 off the mark set by the great Got Country Grip in 2009 in that year’s edition of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Stakes. The new mark still needs to be confirmed by the American Paint Horse Association in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jockey Kenny Muntz was aboard for Barney Ofield’s record-breaking performance and had confidence in his mount. "He’s a good horse and I’m just glad he was the one who could break the world record. I knew about halfway that they weren’t going to catch him."

Muntz was proven correct but PF Chief Runnin Bear did cut into the mid-race margin of Barney Ofield. Leading by close to one length at one point, Barney Ofield held on to win by a neck over the late-running PF Chief Runnin Bear. It was another length back to third-place Flashthechicks, the beaten even-money wagering favorite in the race.

Barney Ofield paid $9.20 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show. PF Chief Runnin Bear returned $4.40 to place and $4 to show. Flashthechicks paid $2.40 to show.

Owned by the Sallisaw, Okla. partnership of Julie Haywood and Joni Willis, Barney Ofield is trained by Eddie Lee Willis. A 6-year-old Paint gelding by Judys Lineage from the Texas Hero mare Shero, Barney Ofield won his ninth career race and his sixth at Remington Park. The first-place check of $20,500 moved his lifetime earnings to $163,163.

Barney Ofield was bred by Marion Hoskin in Oklahoma.

Jockey G.R. Carter posted a riding triple on Saturday night to reach 70 wins for the season. He went to the winner’s circle with Cuz Corona Kisses ($4 to win) in race three, Secret Royal Runaway ($3.20) in race five and Eye A Spit Curl Girl ($3.40) in the seventh race.

Carter is on his way to his 15th Remington Park leading-jockey title and is 34 wins ahead of Jimmy Brooks and Adalberto Candanosa who share second position in the standings with 36 wins.

Sunday afternoon racing gets underway at 1:30pm and features the inaugural Oklahoma Speedfest program with all races dedicated to Oklahoma-bred horses including four stakes events. The 11-race program will carry total purses of $278,200.

There are now just five race dates left in the Remington Park season which concludes on Memorial Day Monday, May 28.

Remington Park opens Sunday at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing and features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. 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.