'09 OK Distance Challenge (HD) ... Snowbound Superstar

Rarely in sports does an event that receives so much publicity, manage to live up to the expectations. On May 10 at Remington Park, the billed Showdown of Champions did not disappoint as the sports top distance runners thrilled throughout every yard of the race around the turn.

Snowbound Superstar emerged victorious by a neck, surging one final time at the end of 870 yards to edge Gone To The Mountain, the world record holder at the distance. Snowbound Superstar broke his own Remington Park track record in winning the $37,620 Red Cell Oklahoma Distance Challenge, hitting the finish line in 44.288 seconds over the fast track. He bettered the previous mark of 44.334 seconds that he set on April 5.

The Distance Challenge almost became a match-race as the field of five that entered was whittled down to just three runners after a pair of scratches.

Gone To The Mountain moved to a quick lead as the starting gate opened, managing a half-length advantage early in the turn. Under jockey Cody Jensen, Snowbound Superstar moved ahead as the pair roared out of the turn to the top of the stretch. Both runners had so much momentum going that they floated wide off the turn and into the middle of the track for the stretch run.

When we hooked up in the turn, we were both going so fast that neither could hold the turn, said Jensen. Coming off the turn we were behind but came back with a strong run to win.

Jockey Freddie Martinez asked Gone To The Mountain and he responded to put his head back on the lead with a furlong to go. The big gray Snowbound Superstar did not capitulate, coming back to go eyeball to eyeball with the world record holder. In the final strides, Snowbound Superstar inched away enough to push to the front as the finish arrived.

Fantasies Royal finished nine lengths back in third.

Owned by Brenda and Tom Brinkley of Hollister, Calif. and trained by Paul Jones, Snowbound Superstar won his 14th consecutive race, all at 870 yards. He equaled an American Quarter Horse Association racing record by winning his 14th straight. A two-time AQHA Distance Champion, Snowbound Superstar has not been defeated in any race since Feb. 11, 2006.


Snowbound Superstar was bred in Washington and has won 14 of his 17 career starts, with the last two triumphs at Remington Park. A 6-year-old gelding by Snowbound (tb) from the Oh My Gee Whiz mare Shania Cash, Snowbound Superstar made $21,256 for his win Sunday night to roll his lifetime earnings to $227,103.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Snowbound Superstar
• Remington Park
• UViewMedia
• Cody Jensen
• Gone To The Mountain
• Maui Farms
• Oklahoma
• Quarter Horse racing

[pencilcasegameboy]

were there only 3 horses?

[RaceViewNetwork]

@pencilcasegameboy

If I remember correctly there were 5 that entered and one scratched late, making 4 starters. If anyone knows different with certainty, please reply.

[dd114073]

I have his half sister and we are using her for breeding she is such a layed back horse i love her

[auralite30]

wow i know his brother and they look sooo much alike, hes a stallion up in Canada

[870champ]

Snowbound Superstar is used to the lights, and night racing, Gone to the Mountain, may need to adjust for the next race under the lights. Its to bad they always run the Challenge Championships under the lights. But no excuses, the best horse won this race.