OQHRA

OKLAHOMA CITY -- April 28, 2018 – Bully Pulpit, winner of the 2017 American Paint Classic Futurity, returned 364 days later to win the 2018 Grade 1, $51,500 Paint Stallion Breeders’ Association American Paint Derby. 

Voted the 2017 Champion Running Solid Paint-Bred 2-year-old, Bully Pulpit is owned by Dan and Kaye Jones of Kemp, Texas and was bred in Oklahoma by Chuck Bowlan. The 3-year-old gelded son of CRM Livewire, out of the Apollo (TB) mare, Judys Apollo, has now run his racing record to seven wins in 13 lifetime starts, with total earnings of $185,656.

Jockey Cody Smith has ridden the fan-favorite in all of his races and knows the horse can sometime lose his focus in the starting gate. “He actually got away closer tonight. I knew the first jump when we were that close, they were in trouble,” said Smith. “The farther he goes, the better he gets. He’s a nice horse. DTL Samureye had us beat away from there but there wasn’t a doubt in mind, even early, that I wasn’t in business.”

Trainer Matt Whitekiller was pleased that his horse has improved with experience. “It’s not nothing for him, he’s come a long ways. He’s a wild son-of-a-gun, I’m telling you. I haven’t got the nerve up yet to take the blinkers off of him in the winner’s circle because I’m afraid he’ll wipe everybody out.”

The speedy sorrel surged clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths, covering the 400 yards in :20.027 over a fast track. Bully Pulpit was sent off at 7-5 odds in the betting and paid $4.80 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. DTL Samureye finished second at 3-2 odds and paid $3.20 to place and $2.80 to show. Ruthies Hotrod was along for third and paid $6.20 to show.

Bully Pulpit gave Whitekiller and Smith their second career victory in the American Paint Derby as they won the 2009 edition with Awesome Fling. This is the first American Paint Derby win for the Kemps.

Remington Park racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a 10-race program underway at 1:30pm-Central.

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Tracked by over 139,000 fans on Facebook and more than 9,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided over $190 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Remington Park, Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino, is home to the $100,000 Sooner State Stakes, for Oklahoma-breds, on Saturday, May 5. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, Remington Park is 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.