Page 52 - February 3 2019

DE PASSEM OKEY si 107, $290,821, Ntr Champion Distance Horse
Breeder: Eddie L. Moore, DVM Owner: Steve A. Holt
Trainers: Rodney Reed, Fred Danley
and Loyd Moreland
Jockeys: G.R. Carter, Jr., Alejandro
Medallin and Stormy Smith 2011 Record: 8-5(4)-0(0)-1(1),
$127,710, 1st Remington Distance Handicap-G3, King Rick Rack Stakes, Covered Bridges Stakes, Prairie Meadows Distance Challenge, 3rd Herman Jefferson Stakes-G3
Since the AQHA first awarded a Champion Distance Horse title in 1987, only three horses have repeated as mul- tiple champions. Griswold was the first, win- ning three championships from 1991-93. Sign Of Lanty scored the three-peat in 2000, 2001 and 2002. And Snowbound Superstar won back-to-back championships in 2006-07. Now, De Passem Okey has added his name to the elite list of multiple champions, becoming the fourth horse to repeat as Distance Champion, in 2010 and 2011.
“I thought it wouldn’t mean that much... but it does,” owner Steve Holt said with a laugh, referring to De Passem Okey’s back-to- back championships. “It’s hard to get one to win a race, much less win a championship.”
Like Sign Of Lanty before him, De Passem Okey is a former claimer. Holt tagged the geld- ing for $7,500 in the spring of 2010. During his second championship year, De Passem Okey won five of eight races and earned $127,710. His career record stands at 15-5-4 from 32 starts with seven stakes wins and earnings of $290,821. In 2011, he had three different trainers and three jockeys while rac- ing in four states.
“This gelding (traveled a lot to different tracks and) kinda liked the fast surfaces. We looked for that when we moved him around,” said Holt, who ran De Passem Okey at four different tracks in 2011. “When he was on an off track he struggled a little, but he’s gutty and he’s going to give you 100 percent. He’s a pleasure to have and we’re lucky to have him.”
De Passem Okey underwent minor surgery after his 2010 campaign to clean up some joints, and has x-rayed sound after his second championship. Holt indicated the gelding will likely make his first 2012 start at Remington Park in the spring.
With a clean bill of health and a winning team on his side, De Passem Okey will be chas- ing the elusive three-peat in 2012.
First Down Dash
Okey Dokey Dale
Okeydokey Baby
Dash For Cash
First Prize Rose
Zevi TB
Mayolas Doll Baby
Rocket Wrangler
Find A Buyer TB
Gallant Jet
Rose Bug
Cornish Prince
Spire
Mighty Deck
Mayola’s Pride
Star De Naskra
Cornish Runner
Mr. Prospector
Sleek Dancer
Majestic Prince
Joans Paris
Swedak
Arbia
Rocket Bar TB Go Galla Go To Market Hide And Seek Jet Deck
Leo Jewel
Lady Bug’s Moon Casco Rose
Bold Ruler Teleran
Carry Back Torrecilla
Top Deck TB Leolina
Royal Charge Mayola Bar
Naskra
Candle Star Cornish Prince Gunner’s Runner Raise A Native Gold Digger Northern Dancer Victorine
Raise A Native Gay Hostess Chieftain
Pride Of Paris Sweep Like Jildac Rose Hawley Heliohorn
Three Bars Golden Rocket Go Man Go
La Galla Win Market Wise Pretty Does Alibhai Scattered Moon Deck Miss Night Bar Leo
Linda Jewel Top Moon
FL Lady Bug Levan
Prissy Hankins Nasrullah Miss Disco Eight Thirty Tellaris
Saggy
Joppy
Sideral Cantabrica Equestrian River Boat
Leo
Tinta
Nearco
Sun Princess Three Bars TB War Hug
Nasram
Iskra Clandestine Star Minstrel Bold Ruler Teleran
Royal Gunner Ardent Wish Native Dancer Raise You Nashua Sequence Nearctic Natalma
My Babu Pandora Native Dancer Raise You Royal Charger Your Hostess Bold Ruler Pocahontas Double Jay Holiday Girl Sweep
Lady Braxted Haste
Fairest
Blue Larkspur Aristocracy Heliopolis Horn
DE PASSEM OKEY, ‘06 g. Carr De Naskra
Sir Richard Lewis
Impassable Gal TB
Luscious Linfa
Sue Babe
Notna’s Prince
Sweet Deal
50 SPEEDHORSE, February 3, 2012
De Passem Okey went wire-to-wire to win the Grade 3 Remington Distance Handicap.
Dustin Orona Photography