OQHRA

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sunday, May 22, 2016, The victories keep mounting for Fire On The Fly as he won his fifth straight of 2016, taking the Grade 3, $58,680 Oklahoma Distance Challenge Sunday afternoon at Remington Park.

The distance horse with the big win streak makes his accomplishments through unconventional training methods, divulged by owner-trainer Tommy Bullard of Bullard Farms in Weatherford, Texas. “He’s never had a rider on his back except to go to the races or to workout,” Bullard said with trophy in hand from the Remington Park winner’s circle. “He trains in a big lot.

Fire On The Fly won under a sharp ride by Donell Blake who made quick decisions on running strategy as the race developed over the 870 yards.

I didn’t really want to push him early so I could have a little more horse on the end so he could kick on,” Blake noted. “I saw CR Tuckernuck and (Painted Josy) throw a little early speed and I just thought I didn’t want to hook them right then so I would wait to the end to use him. The shortest way home is go to the fence and I wanted to go to the fence (off the turn) but they closed the hole on me so I had to grab him and get him back out and get after him. He’s a great horse.

Fire On The Fly crossed the finish in :45.763 seconds over a fast track, a nose ahead of Painted Josy who dug in for a duel over the final furlong. Daring And Dashing was along for third, another 2-3/4 lengths behind the runner-up.

Away at 5-2 odds, Fire On The Fly paid $7.80 to win, $5.40 to place and $4 to show. Painted Josy returned $9.40 to place and $4.40 to show. Daring And Dashing paid $2.80 to show as the even-money wagering favorite.

The win is the 13th from 30 career starts for Fire On The Fly, a 6-year-old Texas-bred gelding by Jet Cartel from the Fight Over (tb) mare Shades Of Pink (tb), Fire On The Fly earned $28,166 for the Oklahoma Distance Challenge win. His career total now stands at $205,572.

The longest racing week of the Remington Park season takes place next week, Thursday, May 26 thru Memorial Day Monday, May 30. Sunday racing features $360,000 in purse money over five stakes events, including the rescheduled $100,000 Sooner State Stakes.

The first race nightly is at 6pm with afternoon racing on Sunday and Memorial Day underway at 1:30pm.

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Open daily at 10:30am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park, home of the Grade 1, $1,083,420 Heritage Place Futurity on Saturday, June 4.

Tracked by over 98,000 fans on Facebook and 7,100 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided over $148 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino and is 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.