NEWS
George Taylor seeks third straight Classic victory on day for Oklahoma-breds
Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005
Having jockey Nena Matz sitting in his saddle is a definite plus for George Taylor entering the $75,000 Oklahoma Classics Classic Stakes, the most lucrative race run during Oklahoma Classics night for Oklahoma-breds on Saturday at Remington Park.
The last two years, Matz and George Taylor have teamed up to win the 1 1/16-mile race that is one of seven stakes worth more than $300,000 on Saturday's card. Matz's presence could be a big help when the hard-charging George Taylor tries to win the race for the third straight time by running down a field of rivals that includes Zee Oh Six, Presto Ridge, Proper Respect, and Remote Control.
""It looks like Zee Oh Six is going to control the pace," Rick Gustafson, George Taylor's trainer, said. "If one of those horses would push Zee Oh Six it would help my chances."
Early speed never has been a strength for George Taylor, who prefers to conserve his energy at the start and do his best running late. That running style is just one of the unique aspects of George Taylor, who also does his best running with female jockeys sitting in his saddle.
Gustafson chuckled when asked what it is about the ladies that brings out the best in George Taylor.
"He seems to run better with the girls," Gustafson said. "He's kind of like his trainer. He wants to perform better when the ladies are around. I just think they have a softer touch. They let him do his own thing."
Zee Oh Six won the Classic Stakes in 2002. The front-running gelding trained by Joe Lucas exits a 3 1/4-length win in an allowance race on September 2, a race in which George Taylor was third.
In eight starts this season, George Taylor has one second and three third-place finishes.
"He's got to have some pace to run at," Gustafson said. "He's doing well. Everything is good. He just needs a little help getting there.
"I just think if somebody will entertain Zee Oh Six for a while, we'll entertain him on the other end."
The remaining six stakes races that will be run during the 13th renewal of the Oklahoma Classics all feature $40,000 purses. They include the six-furlong Lassie Stakes, the 7 1/2-furlong Filly and Mare Turf Stakes, the six-furlong Juvenile Stakes, the one-mile Turf Stakes, the six-furlong Sprint Stakes, and the one-mile and 70-yard Distaff Stakes.
Saturday's first post time is 6:30 p.m. CDT.—Jeff Apel
