AJS HIGH STAYS PERFECT FOR THE YEAR, WINNING SOONER STATE STAKES AT REMINGTON PARK

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sunday, May 29, 2016 ,  AJs High took advantage of the rescheduled $100,000 Sooner State Stakes on Sunday at Remington Park, leaving the starting gate perfectly, then cruising to a one-length win in the event for older Oklahoma-breds.

Ajs High, under jockey Stormy Smith, winning the $100,000 Sooner State Stakes[RG1] at Remington Park.  © Dustin Orona Photography

The Sooner State was declared a “no-contest” in its original running on May 7 when the starting gate malfunctioned, failing to release the field in a fair and appropriate manner. On that night, AJs High reared in the gate as they were trying to open, displaying the bad temperament he has struggled with at times in his career. The second attempt for the race saw no such behavior from the talented 4-year-old.

Winning Connections of AJs High accepting the Sooner State Stakes Trophy © Dustin Orona Photography

AJs High defeated Sam Crow, who actually crossed the finish first in the “no-contest” Sooner State on May 7. Big Time Toast was another neck back in third. AJs High handled 400 yards in :19.529 seconds over a fast track.

Owned and bred in Oklahoma by Michael Teel of Columbia, Mo., AJs High is trained by Charley Hunt. Ridden by Stormy Smith, the gelding left no doubt what mood he was in from the start of the race.

He got in there and kind of tightened up a little bit but then he got really good and when they kicked it, he was a gone son-of-a gun, Smith said of the experience in the starting gate. Sam Crow made a good run at us about halfway down through there and started gaining a little ground. I just tapped (AJs High) on the shoulder and he took off.

AJs High was at 2-1 odds in the betting and paid $6.40 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Sam Crow was the beaten 6-5 wagering favorite, paying $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Big Time Toast paid $4.80 to show.

The Sooner State Stakes win is the 11th career score from 16 attempts for AJs High, a gelding by Apollitical Jess from the Rare Form mare Regally Rare. He made $59,892 for the win to run his overall earnings to $463,261.

AJs High added the Sooner State Stakes to wins earlier in this Remington Park season when he won the Eastex Stakes on March 13 and the Mr Jet Moore Stakes on April 7. He has now won four of his last five official starts dating to October 2015 and his win in the Altoona Derby at Prairie Meadows in Iowa.

The holiday racing week at Remington Park continues Memorial Day Monday, May 30. The first race Memorial Day is at 1:30pm - Central.

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.

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Tracked by over 100,000 fans on Facebook and 7,200 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.