Delta Downs
WINNER of the 2026 Old South Derby
CHILLEY (#5)
c. (Chilitos-Zoom in On Me, Shazoom)
Breeder: Tommy And/Or Johanna Bullard
Owner: Jaime Cardenas
Trainer: Ponce, Josue
Jockey: Garcia, Jorge
Remaining Order of Finish: Sheza a Whirlawaytoo (#4), Hi Octane (#6), Eyes So Gray (#3), Jess Telling Beau (#1), Cm Dashing Cartel (#2), Prey N Corona (#8), Ivorys Cartel (#10), Syms Sin Tacha (#9), Aj Big Cash (#7)
PRESS RELEASE – MAY 14, 2026 –
Racing regulators from across North America who are members of the ARCI met today to
consider a new aggressive approach being utilized in Oklahoma to safeguard horses
utilizing “Emergency Protective Orders” to temporarily exclude horses in the care of
trainers whose horses have demonstrated an abnormal and materially elevated pattern of
severe post-race distress, including repeated incidents in which horses were unable to
safely leave the track under their own power.
To date three trainers have received such orders effectively excluding 171 horses by putting
them on the “Stewards List” temporarily. Affected horses are subject to testing, veterinary
examination, record production, and individualized regulatory review before they may be
considered for removal from that status. The orders provide for the nomination of a
“guardian ad litem” to conduct an independent investigation concerning the welfare of the
affected horses.
ARCI President Ed Martin said that “using the Stewards or Vets list to exclude a horse from
competition is not new, but Oklahoma’s use of “Emergency Protective Orders” to
temporarily exclude all horses managed by a particular trainer is.”
“This is an important new approach that all racing regulators should consider utilizing,”
Martin told the regulators.
In Oklahoma such orders are only issued after the Stewards reviewed evidence, reports,
video recordings, veterinary opinions, and other information concerning horses that
appeared in extreme distress after racing and have determined that there is an abnormal
and materially elevated pattern. Each Order states that the pattern was repeated,
documented, and sufficiently serious to require immediate regulatory intervention.
The regulators were briefed by Amanda English, Interim Executive Director of the Oklahoma
Racing Commission and the commission’s General Counsel Michael Copeland.
Ms. English told her colleagues that the Stewards relied on veterinary opinions from three
veterinarians who concluded that the condition shown by the horses was extreme,
unusual, not a normal post-race recovery pattern, materially adverse to equine welfare,
and inconsistent with the safe and humane participation of such horses in racing absent
further investigation and clearance.
“When horses show signs of extreme distress, we will not look away, we will not minimize
it, and we will not wait for another incident before taking action. These emergency
measures are designed to protect horses immediately, secure the evidence, and ensure
that no horse connected to this matter returns to competition unless and until the
Commission is satisfied that it is safe and humane for that horse to race,” she said.
The Order requires mandatory pre-race and out-of-competition testing, mandatory
veterinary examinations, immediate post-race examination of any horse showing abnormal
recovery or distress, production of veterinary and treatment records, and inspection of
relevant barns, stalls, tack rooms, treatment areas, and other enclosure locations. The
Order also preserves the Commission’s authority to pursue additional remedies if
warranted.
Under the Order, affected horses are subject to testing, veterinary examination, record
production, and individualized regulatory review before they may be considered for
removal from that status.
The Emergency Protective Order states that the Stewards found an abnormal and
materially elevated pattern of severe post-race distress among the affected horses,
including repeated incidents in which horses were unable to safely leave the track under
their own power and required transport from the racing surface. The Order further states
that the pattern was repeated, documented, and sufficiently serious to require immediate
regulatory intervention.
The Stewards also relied on veterinary opinions from three veterinarians who concluded
that the condition shown by the horses was extreme, unusual, not a normal post-race
recovery pattern, materially adverse to equine welfare, and inconsistent with the safe and
humane participation of such horses in racing absent further investigation and clearance.
“The protection of the horse comes first, and the Commission will act decisively when the
facts show a serious threat to equine welfare,” said Interim Executive Director Amanda
English. “When horses show signs of extreme distress, we will not look away, we will not
minimize it, and we will not wait for another incident before taking action. These emergency
measures are designed to protect horses immediately, secure the evidence, and ensure
that no horse connected to this matter returns to competition unless and until the
Commission is satisfied that it is safe and humane for that horse to race.”
by ASSOCIATION OF RACING COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL
AJAX DOWNS, MAY 14, 2026 – The equine star of Ajax Downs‘ card of racing on a crisp, windy May 13, Had to Be Ivory, won for the 34th time while later in the afternoon, jockey Corry Beland won his first race of his young career.
The second day of Ajax Downs‘ 2026 Quarter Horse season, which followed a record-breaking wagering opening day, May 6, featured the return of multiple champion HAD TO BE IVORY, the richest Canadian bred Quarter Horse in history. Now 11 years old, the big bay Ontario bred gelding was as quick and slick as ever, winning the featured Gridiron Gallop dash at 110 yards by three-quarters of a length over another champion, Snow Moose.
Ridden by Ismael Mosqueira for owners Carol and Jaime Robertson, Had to Be Ivory raced the distance in a quick 6.855, just shy of his own track record of 6.761.
“He was just so happy, bouncing and on his toes” said Mosqueira, last year’s High Point Jockey at Ajax Downs. “He was so relaxed walking to the gate and just walked in ready to go. The way he runs, he’s like a three or four-year-old.” Had to Be Ivory’s young half sister, Had to Be Fabulous, was the 2025 Horse of the Year and won her 2026 season debut last week.
*Jockey CORRY BELAND earned his first career race when he guided My Royal Swinger to victory in race six for owner and trainer Joe Tavares. The Alberta-born son of former jockeys Stu Brown and Carole Beland was riding in only his seventh career race including his first three races late last season.
“I just got beat a nose in the race before so that gave me some motivation,” said Beland. “I just tried to not override him and just sit chilly and let the horse do the work.”
Fellow Ajax Downs jockeys awaited Beland to return from the winner’s circle before dousing him with buckets of water, the typical initiation for a jockey when they win their first race.
Corry also hopes to also ride Thoroughbreds at Woodbine this year.
Racing continues at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, May 20 with a first race post time of 3:30 p.m. Admission is always free and you can watch and wager on the races from trackside tables or at www.HPIBet.com.
Be sure to visit www.ajaxdowns.com for the racing schedule and list of events coming up.
By Ajax Downs
OKLAHOMA CITY – Effective immediately, overnight purses for the remainder of the Remington Park American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa season will be increased. This action will cover the final 11 dates of the current spring season which concludes May 30.
Starting with racing on Thursday, May 14, all overnight races for Quarter Horses will have a $3,000 purse increase. The overnight races for Paints and Appaloosas, will be boosted $1,000. The purses for all stakes races will remain at current levels.
“We are excited to be able to increase purses for the remainder of the meet because of the strong handle growth we’ve seen this season,” said Krissy Bamberg, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association. “We feel like that growth is a direct result of the quality horses and horsemen competing at Remington Park this meet. We appreciate the owners and trainers who continue to support Oklahoma racing and choose to race here. Anytime we have the opportunity to put money back into purses and reward the people competing here, it’s a good thing for everyone involved.”
Remington Park racing continues Thursday through Sunday, May 14-17. The first race Thursday and Friday is at 6pm. Saturday racing begins at Noon with the simulcast of the Preakness Stakes following the live action. Sunday racing begins at 4pm. All times are Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $411 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
By Dale Day
Elizabeth Logan, an inspirational figure in the American Quarter Horse industry, has passed away at the age of 99. She touched the lives of so many through her lifelong dedication to breeding, showing, and racing horses at Logan Ranch in Oklahoma. Alongside her late husband, George Logan, she helped develop a successful program that produced World Champion Palaminos, and they branched out to Quarter Horses as well. Elizabeth and her husband had shown horses for years, and Elizabeth showed until the age of 88. Although she did not become deeply involved with horses until the mid-1990s, Logan quickly found success in the show ring before transitioning into Quarter Horse racing later in life.
When she decided to quit showing, her veterinarian, Dr. Jay Ross, suggested that she try her hand with race horses. Dr. Ross introduced her to trainer Dee Keener, and the rest was history. Her first runner was DTL Batter Up, a Paint colt that earned nearly $60,000 on the track. She bought a new car and put on a license tag that read ‘Batter Up’. Her racing stable achieved national prominence with major wins from standout runners such as EC Revenge, winner of the Oklahoma Futurity-G2 in 2019; Dreamsville’s, winner the Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby-G2 in 2022; and Tres Crystals, winner of the Oklahoma Futurity-G2 and the Heritage Place Futurity-G1 in 2022, the only horse to win both the Oklahoma and the Heritage Futurities in the same year. Logan won the Oklahoma Futurity twice, captured the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby, and continued competing at the sport’s highest levels well into her late 90s. Beyond racing, she and her husband established a lasting legacy through philanthropy, donating their ranch to Oklahoma State University for agricultural research and creating scholarships for veterinary students.
Nothing excited her more than watching her horses run. On Friday night, May 8, Dr. Ross visited her in the hospital so she could watch her horse, Valiant Sass, win the 2nd trial of the night in the Heritage Place Futurity trials. That definitely put a smile on her face. Her remarkable story reflects perseverance, passion, and a lifelong commitment to the Quarter Horse industry. She will be greatly missed.
By Speedhorse & Wendy Keener
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. May 11, 2026
The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (“OHRC”), acting through the Board of Stewards at Remington Park, continues to enforce three Emergency Protective Orders issued on April 22, 2026, after evidence, video, and veterinary opinions documented an abnormal and materially elevated pattern of severe post-race distress among affected horses, including repeated incidents in which horses could not safely leave the track under their own power and required transport from the racing surface.
These orders are temporary, protective, and focused on one priority: horse welfare. The affected horses remain on the Stewards’ List and, where applicable, the Veterinarian’s List while they undergo individualized veterinary review, testing, records review, and monitored exercise protocols before any return to competition may be considered.
In the Alcala matter, the Oklahoma County District Court preserved the Emergency Protective Order, allowed entries to be accepted, and made clear that no horse may compete unless and until OHRC veterinarians and the Board of Stewards are satisfied that permitting the horse to run will not endanger equine welfare or compromise the integrity of racing. In the Garcia matter, materially identical agreed terms were reached. In the Vane matter, the Emergency Protective Order entered by the Board of Stewards was ordered to remain in place and Mr. Vane’s Temporary Restraining Order was dismissed. Accordingly those horses likewise remain subject to the Commission’s safety process.
“The protection of the horse comes first,” said Amanda English, Interim Executive Director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission. “When the facts show a serious threat to equine welfare, the Commission will act. No horse will race until the safety review is complete and the horse is cleared through our process.”
OHRC’s removal protocol requires a separate application for each horse, full disclosure of relevant records, independent veterinary review, any necessary diagnostic testing, required sampling, and an observed work with post-work veterinary assessment. No horse is returned to eligibility based on assurances alone.
The Commission’s authority to take these actions is grounded in the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act and the Rules of Racing, which authorize OHRC and the Board of Stewards to protect horse welfare, determine eligibility, require examination and testing, and act when racing integrity is at risk.
OHRC will continue to evaluate each horse individually and will permit no horse to compete unless and until the Commission is satisfied, in writing, that the horse may safely and humanely race.
from OHRC
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Monday, May 11, 2026) – The first set of trials were held Monday, May 11 featuring four to establish the final field for the $30,000 Maiden Stakes Final set for the first all Quarter Horse day of the year Saturday, May 30 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Perrys Secret Gold and Eduardo Diaz earned top billing on the list of trial times with their win in the second of four trials in a time of :17.958.
Perrys Secret Gold was one of two winners in the trials for trainer Tim Eggleston and Jockey Eduardo Diaz, last year’s leading Quarter Horse trainer and jockey, respectively. Other trial winners on the day included Run Don’t Walk and Daniel Martinez, Jess Sinful, also ridden by Daniel Martinez, and Mi Blood Token, ridden by Eduardo Diaz.
Perrys Secret Gold was in contention the entire 350 yards for the lead, getting the advantage by a neck at the wire over stablemate Keep Her Off Tequila, ridden by Rolando Pina. Coyote Kiss and Daniel Martinez finished third.
Perrys Secret Gold is a four-year-old son of Racy Secret. The Indiana sired gelding is owned by Roger Cyrulik and was making his second start of 2026 and his fifth overall to break his maiden.
The entire field for the Maiden Stakes Final, with jockey and time, includes: Perrys Secret Gold (Eduardo Diaz, 17.958); Run Don’t Walk (Daniel Martinez, 17.99); Keep Her Off Tequila (Rolando Pina, :17.99); Fav Streakin Cartel (Diego Villamil Bocanegra, :17.999); Coyote Kiss (Daniel Martinez, :18.03); Jess Sinful (Daniel Martinez, :18.069); Maleficent Dash (Erik Esqueda, :18.095); Jess A Favorite (Edgar Diaz, :18.114); Mi Blood Token (Eduardo Diaz, :18.206); and FA Lillys Of Wins (Erik Esqueda, :18.237). Trainers Tim Eggleston (Perrys Secret Gold, Keep Her off Tequila, Mi Blood Token) and Tony Cunningham (Run Don’t Walk, Coyote Kiss, Jess Sinful) have each qualified three for the finals while Trainer Caesar Esqueda will send two to the final (Maleficent Dash, FA Lillys of Wins).
The Maiden Stakes Final will join the Harley Greene Derby Final and the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby Trials Saturday, May 30 for the first all-Quarter Horse racing day. First post is 10:45 a.m.
The 24th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse extends through Friday, November 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.
By Tammy Knox
LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE, CYPRESS, CA— Miguel Osorio’s homebred filly Call Me Candela was a bit restless in the gate, but once the latch popped for the Grade 2, $254,500 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity, she was all business. Breaking sharply from post five, the filly engaged in a spirited three-way duel with Monday Dynasty and Jaque before surging ahead to capture the meet’s first major futurity on Sunday night at Los Alamitos.
Piloting the winner was 20-year-old jockey Jose Rosario Alcala, who entered the night with only two career Quarter Horse wins to his credit. Despite his limited experience in the irons in big money races, Alcala showed veteran composure in the Kindergarten, guiding Call Me Candela to victory at odds of 4-1. At the wire, Call Me Candela held off the late charge of the Cyber Monday gelding Monday Dynasty by a neck, with the filly Jaque finishing a close third.
For trainer Jose Flores, the victory marked his fifth Kindergarten win, the third-most victories by a trainer in the 72-year history of the race. It was Flores’ first win in the juvenile classic since Old Girl in 2014. Flores also conditioned third-place finisher Jaque, fourth-place finisher Romoland, and sixth-place finisher My Favorite Paris.
In contrast to Flores’ decades of success, the young pilot Alcala arrived at this milestone with a much shorter resume. His only other career straightaway wins came with Call Me Candela during the trials on April 19 and with Angela Aquino’s Good Reason Jess back in February 2024. Aquino has provided Alcala with most of his riding opportunities, primarily with Thoroughbreds, where the Fontana native has won a total of 11 races.
Aquino and owner Ashley Garcia were the ones who encouraged Alcala to branch out and try riding Quarter Horses. They recommended him to Flores, who gave Alcala his big break on the night of the Kindergarten trials. After steering the filly—out of the Favorite Cartel mare DF First Down Cartel—to a qualifying win, Alcala earned the assignment on Call Me Candela for the final.
In the winner’s circle, Alcala was greeted by a large crowd of family and friends. “First, I’m so thankful and feel blessed to have this opportunity,” Alcala said, grinning from ear to ear. “To be truthful, I don’t have the words to be more thankful for this. I want to say thanks to my family who came to support me. My horse was moving around a little bit, but she broke nicely and took off. We were right there with the other filly (Jaque). To be honest, tonight I really felt the pressure in the final yards, but I’m just so thankful that we got it. When you cross the finish line and you realize that this became your turn to win a race, I didn’t even know how to react. It just felt so good, really good.
“To have all my family here—my dad, who has always supported me; my mother, who has always prayed for me; and my brothers, who have also always been there for me—it truly is priceless to have them by my side tonight. I also want to thank the owner for giving me a chance to ride La Candela. She truly is a great filly. For Jose Flores, he’s a very good person and the one who gave me the opportunity to be here. He’s a great boss. I just hope we keep it going with Candela.”
The victory was also a triumph for owner Miguel Osorio’s breeding program. Osorio is the owner of the winning stallion Call Me Cole, a highly successful runner during his own 15-race career. Owned by Reliance Ranches as a juvenile in 2017, Call Me Cole was a Grade 1 finalist in the Golden State Million and placed third to champion J Fire Up in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. The following year in 2018, Call Me Cole qualified to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby before running fourth in that year’s Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trials. Osorio purchased the son of Corona Cartel before the start of 2020, running him once before retiring him to stud.
Call Me Cole currently stands at Rancho Los 3 Reyes in Hollister, California, with a 2026 stallion fee of $1,500. His progeny also includes the Flores-trained Call Me Soft, another filly owned and bred by Osorio.
Now a winner of two of three career starts, Call Me Candela covered the 300 yards in :15.706, earning $107,455 for the victory. She remains eligible for the upcoming trials for the Ed Burke Million Futurity on Sunday, May 31.
Monday Dynasty, trained by J.J. Gonzales II and ridden by Edwin Escobedo, earned $43,830 for his runner-up effort. Jaque, owned and bred by Rojas Racing and ridden by Irving Lara, took home $31,105 for third. The remaining field crossed the wire as follows: Romoland, AP Eagle Heart, and My Favorite Paris.
The runner-up, Monday Dynasty, earned $43,830 with Edwin Escobedo up. Bred by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC and trained by J.J. Gonzales II, the gelding delivered a tremendous effort from the outside post. The KVN Corona filly Jaque, owned and bred by Rojas Racing and ridden by Irving Lara, took home $31,105 for third. The top three finishers were followed across the wire by Romoland, AP Eagle Heart, and My Favorite Paris.
By Los Alamitos Publicity
OKLAHOMA CITY – A combination of Mother Nature and the talent in the red-hot barn of James J. Gonzales III led to the trainer getting the fastest qualifier of the night on Friday at Remington Park. Fall Classic put up the top time for the second night of trials for the Grade 1 ,$1,158,940 Heritage Place Futurity.
The Heritage Place Futurity, the richest horse race in Oklahoma, is the featured event on the final night of the Remington Park season, Saturday, May 30.
With a little help from a storm that was moving through the Oklahoma City area just as the first race and first trial of the night went off, Fall Classic took full advantage of a brisk 13mph tailwind to post a time of :17.517 for 350 yards, the fastest time of the night that held up for 12 more trials. The racetrack had been sealed before the races in anticipation of the storm. The track condition was fast for only the first trial. After the storm and brief rain, the track was labeled muddy for the remainder of the night.
Soon after the storm moved through, the wind died down to a 6-mph tailwind in the second race and then switched directions, forcing the rest of the competitors to run into a slight headwind, at 2-7mph. Still, the evening never saw another tailwind in any trial after the second race as the storm moved through in a matter of just a few minutes.
Not to take away anything from Fall Classic, a 2-year-old Missouri-bred gelded son of Cyber Monday, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Lady Bellaqua, as he remained undefeated after two career starts. Jockey Christian Cardenas has booted this juvenile American Quarter Horse home an easy winner in both starts. He won Friday night by 1-1/4 lengths, earning a speed index of 92. His first trip to the winner’s circle came after a 1-1/4 length win against a maiden allowance bunch at Remington Park on March 22. The only other horse to reach the 90-mark on Friday came out of the 12th race when the wind had virtually become non-existent. Demarus, another undefeated competitor after two starts, scored a 90 speed index in that heat.
Fall Classic was bred by Jim Streelman and Bill Dale and was purchased at the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale of 2025 for $47,000. In two starts now, the gelding owned by Christopher A. Villatoro of Crandall, Texas, has won $22,215. That number could grow exponentially in the finals from the biggest purse of the season in these finals.
Fall Classic was the second horse from Gonzales’ barn to qualify for the finals of the million-dollar-plus futurity. Gonzales also qualified the third-fastest runner on Thursday night in Bett the Limit. Cardenas will have to make a decision on which horse to ride in the finals. No other trainers qualified more than one horse for the finals.
Among the jockeys, only one other rider qualified more than one – Francisco Calderon. He brought in the fastest qualifier of the night on Thursday with Curls Favorite Jet for trainer John Stinebaugh and also with the fourth-fastest from Friday with El Huracano V for trainer Jesus Nunez, a shipper in from Los Alamitos on the West Coast.
On Friday night, Fall Classic was sent off as the 1-5 wagering favorite in his trial and was in control of the race every step of the way. He paid $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.
Here are the five fastest qualifiers from Friday night’s 13 trials with horse, jockey, trainer, time, speed index and trial number:
The following were the five fastest qualifiers from Thursday. They are listed by horse, jockey, trainer, time, speed index and trial number and will join Friday night’s five fastest:
Remington Park racing continues Saturday, May 9 with 12 races on tap, including trials for the Grade 2, $335,800 Heritage Place Derby. The first race is at 6pm. On Sunday, May 10 there will be trials for the Grade 2, $373,800 Heritage Place Oaks with the first race going off at 4pm. All times are Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $411 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
By Richard Linihan
OKLAHOMA CITY – Prior to Sunday night’s seven trials at Remington Park, qualifying the 10 fastest 3-year-old fillies for the finals of the Grade 2, $373,800 Heritage Place Oaks, Wera C’s claim to fame was winning last year’s $50,000 Oklahoma Juvenile Stakes here.
Virtually no one would have given this filly a chance to have the fastest time of the night in those seven trials, but that’s what she did. It was better than that of Toby Sis, a filly that won her trial and moved her career record to six wins in seven starts for earnings approaching $1 million in the process. Wera C had banked a little more than $100,000 coming into these trials.
Toby Sis won the first trial of the day with a 16-mph tailwind in race four over a sloppy and sealed track and her time of :19.414 for the 400 yards held up until Wera C hit the track in the eighth race, the fifth trial of the night. Wera C stopped the timer in :19.396, earning a Speed Index of 101. Toby Sis, a $12,500 supplemental entry into these trials, recorded a SI of 99. The kicker of it all? Wera C had a smaller tailwind of 11 mph in her win.
The Heritage Place Oaks final is a 400-yard race for 3-year-old American Quarter Horse fillies scheduled to be run on Saturday, May 30. The 10 fastest qualifiers from seven trials on Sunday made the finals.
Wera C, a sophomore Texas-bred daughter of Flying Cowboy 123, out of the One Dashing Eagle mare Pillow Talk, was ridden to victory in her trial by jockey Jesus Ayala. She finished a half-length ahead of Where is Queen B (5-2 odds), who was another two lengths in front of third-place finisher Honey in the Rock (42-1). Wera C was sent off as the 4-5 odds-on favorite and returned $3.80 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show. A Cowboys Chic was the second favorite on the toteboard at 2-1 odds, but lost all chance at the beginning of the race when she leaned back as the gate opened. Her gate was slightly closed because she was tied in with a flipping halter. When she sat back, it kept the gate closed for her for a just a split second and she broke well behind the field. She could only manage a fifth-place finish.
Wera C ran her record to eight starts, three wins, four seconds and one third for a bankroll of $113,769. She is owned by CH Horse Racing of Mission, Texas, is trained by Marco Chavez-Gutierrez, and was bred by Ellis H. Hank Bird. She was a $73,000 purchase at the Texas Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale of 2024.
Toby Sis’ record now sits at 7-6-1-0, with earnings of $861,932. She was ridden to her win by Francisco Calderon. The California-bred daughter of Favorite Cartel, out of the Walk Thru Fire mare London Laura is owned by Valeriano Racing Stables (Sammy Valeriano) of Odessa, Texas, who paid the extra $12,500 to get his filly into these trials. She is trained by Jesus Nunez and was bred by Edward C. Allred. She was not sold at auction. Her biggest win came in the Grade 1, $2 Million Futurity on Dec. 14, 2025 at Los Alamitos in California. On this day, however, she had to settle for the second-best qualifying time to Wera C.
Here are the top 10 qualifiers from the Heritage Place Oaks trials (horse, jockey, trainer, time, speed index, trial number and race number):
Remington Park racing continues Thursday thru Sunday, May 14-17 schedule. First post time on Thursday and Friday, May 14 & 15 is at 6pm. Saturday, May 16 racing starts at Noon with the simulcast of the Preakness Stakes from Laurel, Md. featured after the live racing program. Sunday action on May 17 begins at 4pm. All times are Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $411 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
By Richard Linihan
Sam Houston Race Park saw solid fan support throughout the weekend, with on-track wagering up on both Thursday and Friday compared to the same weekend in 2025.
Thursday’s on-track handle climbed to $39,726 from $34,461 last year, while Friday improved to $75,937 compared to $63,813 in 2025. Saturday continued to draw one of the stronger crowds of the meet, producing $105,958 in on-track wagering and helping push the three-day on-track total to $221,621, up from $212,088 a year ago.
Off-track wagering received a major boost on Saturday as bettors nationwide poured $440,727 into the card, an increase over last year’s $277,185 for the same night. That strong finish helped the weekend’s total off-track handle reach $937,880.
Friday night’s entertainment featured a performance by the Selena Tribute Band, while Saturday hosted the annual Wine Tasting event.
Saturday night also recognized Rob Werstler for his longtime service and dedication to the Texas horse racing industry as he retired from the Texas Quarter Horse Association after more than four decades in racing, including nearly 30 years with TQHA.
Werstler spent many years serving as Director of Racing before becoming Executive Director in 2021. During Saturday’s recognition, leadership duties were officially passed to incoming Executive Director Scott Sherwood, who will also continue in his role as Director of Racing while leading the organization forward. The ceremony highlighted Werstler’s commitment to Texas racing, his steady leadership, and the lasting influence he leaves on the Quarter Horse industry.
“The TQHA has been a blessing to my family and me. I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years. I love this industry, the horses, the people. I leave the TQHA in good hands. Our staff is second to none,” commented Rob Werstler in an interview prior to his retirement.
Following the tribute to Werstler, the evening shifted into a night of stakes competition, including three AQHA Challenge races — the Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge-G3, the John Deere Juvenile Challenge-G3, and the Adequan Derby Challenge — along with the John Buchanan Memorial and Leon Bard Memorial.
The night concluded with the inaugural $541,000 Texas Breeders’ Futurity and the $75,000 Sam Houston Classic. Dr. Tommy Hays was the winning nominator of the Texas Breeders’ Futurity.
The evening also delivered one of the more memorable winner’s circle moments of the meet as Jerry Deville and Jaime Cardenas of Double J Racing pledged to donate $20,000 from their Texas Breeders’ Futurity earnings to a charitable foundation selected by Sam Houston Race Park. Following the race, track handicapper Trey Stiles interviewed the partners in the winner’s circle.
The longtime partners have been buying and racing horses together since 2015 while balancing successful businesses and strong family involvement alongside their racing operation.
“We’ve been blessed to buy some really good horses from breeders like Dr. Hays and others,” Jerry Deville said. “Before the race even started, we both agreed we wanted to do something different in the winner’s circle that nobody has done before.”
“What we want to do is let the officials at this racetrack choose a foundation of their choice, and we’re going to donate $20,000 of our winnings to that foundation,” Deville continued.
He also praised the efforts of Sam Houston Race Park and its staff.
“We appreciate everyone at Sam Houston — the staff and everyone involved,” Deville said. “We know how much work goes into putting on these races, and we just want to say thank you.”
Deville also reflected on the story behind purchasing Cowboy Flying at the TQHA Yearling Sale, where they paid $53,000 for the gelding.
“At the sale, Luis, who works with Jaime, came to us and said, ‘I have a Flying Cowboy 123 horse you need to look at,’” Deville recalled. “I told him I had already looked at all those horses, but he said, ‘No, I’m serious, you need to come see this one.’ Jaime agreed, so we went to Dr. Hays and asked what was so special about him.”
“Dr. Hays told us they’d had a lot of good horses out of that mare, but they always seemed to leave Texas to race,” Deville said. “He said they would be obliged if we would be the high bidders on him. I told him, ‘Well, just don’t raise your hand when the bidding starts, and maybe we can afford him.’ Thankfully, it worked out, and here we are today.”
SATURDAY’S STAKES RACE RECAP
Race 4: $43,478 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge (G3)
1. FIRE BOLT B (Bolt of Fire-She a Elektra B, by Fdd Dynasty)
Sold in 2023 at TQHA Yearling Sale for $11,000
2. GJR ROOSTER (This Is an Eagle-Granny Grump-TB, by A Little Illegal-TB)
Sold in 2022 at TQHA Yearling Sale for $15,500
3. DM SPECIAL CAT (Stray Cat-Sophies Special, by Visionarian)
Nestor Duran won his first career distance race aboard Fire Bolt B, who outfinished favored GJR Rooster to capture the Grade 3 event at 870 yards. Owned by Tony Sedillo and RC Racing LLC, the 4-year-old gelding completed the distance in :45.554 while earning a 99 speed index. Bred in Texas by Bielau Oaks, the son of Bolt of Fire earned the first stakes victory of his career and improved his record to six wins from 15 starts with earnings climbing to $85,173.
Race 5: $52,000 John Buchanan Memorial Stakes
Chieftainess scored the first stakes victory of her career with a gate-to-wire win. Bred and owned by Mario Rodriguez, the Texas-bred filly stopped the timer in 17.548 seconds for a 97 speed index at 350 yards. The win increased her earnings to $67,749 after seven starts and came following a juvenile campaign spent facing stakes competition throughout Texas.
Race 6: $52,000 Leon Bard Memorial Stakes
Jess Cartel Blue earned his first career stakes victory with a gate-to-wire performance. The 3-year-old gelding dueled throughout before pulling clear late to complete the 350 yards in 17.675 seconds for a 93 speed index. He entered the race off a juvenile season highlighted by a finalist effort in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity. Bred and owned in Texas by Pete Scarmardo, the son of Jess Louisiana Blue pushed his career earnings to $92,782 with the $31,200 winner’s share.
Race 7: $58,344 Adequan Derby
The Valiant Flame delivered a breakthrough performance, taking the lead at first call to win the $58,344 Adequan Sam Houston Derby. The 3-year-old filly covered 400 yards in :20.177 while earning a 93 speed index. The victory marked her first career stakes win after multiple graded stakes finalist efforts as a juvenile and increased her earnings to $62,274 for owner/breeder Torres Buildings.
“During her two-year-old year, she looked really good, but she got a little sore on us. We had to perform surgery and back off on her for the rest of the year. Since then, she’s had a bullet work down here (at Sam Houston) one day, and we prepped her for the trials. We like her,” said her trainer, Brian Stroud.
Race 8: $106,029 John Deere Juvenile Challenge (G3)
Top Shelve remained undefeated with a neck victory at 350 yards. The gray filly stopped the clock in :17.894 while earning an 87 speed index. Bred by Jude and Regina Robicheaux, the victory pushed her earnings to $54,773 after just two starts. “We felt confident, she’s been really good since we started working her,” owner David Martinez said. “This is the third challenge we’ve won. We are so blessed with our jockey Nestor, trainer Ramiro, and all the people who have backed us.”
“The five horse bumped me a little bit when we broke but after 100 yards, she just took off,” Duran said. “That’s all we wanted from her, was to break a little better than she did in the trials, and she got it done.”
Race 9: $541,000 Texas Breeders Futurity
Fastest qualifier from the trials, Cowboys Flying, stamped himself as one of Texas’ top juveniles, remaining undefeated with a 3/4-length gate to wire victory in the $541,000 Texas Breeders Futurity. The Flying Cowboy 123 gelding covered 330 yards in :16.476 while posting a 106 speed index. Bred by Dr. Tommy Hays, the $53,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate earned $240,746 for the win, boosting his bankroll to $246,746 after only two starts. Following the race, owners Jerry Deville and Jaime Cardenas announced they would donate $20,000 of the purse earnings to a charitable foundation selected by Sam Houston Race Park officials.
“We felt very comfortable with the way this horse had been performing, and that’s one reason we decided to donate part of the winnings,” Cardenas said. “We’re just so happy.”
Race 10: $75,000 Sam Houston Classic (G2)
Kas Prietito powered home with a late surge to capture the Grade 2 race by 1 1/4-lengths. The 4-year-old gelding covered 440 yards in :21.509 while earning a 106 speed index. The gelding picked up his first graded stakes victory while increasing his career earnings to $106,666 with a record of 4 wins from 13 starts. The owners celebrated the milestone victory, “This is our first stakes win, so we are very happy,” they said.
Sam Houston Race Park will return to stakes action May 21-23 with trials for the Sam Houston Futurity-G2, Sam Houston Derby-G3, and Sam Houston Oaks. Trials for the Colors of Houston Futurity-G2 and Colors of Houston Juvenile will also be contested that weekend.
About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Owned by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings, and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining. It features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options including its Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, concerts and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.
By Leann Noguera
Century Mile
WINNER of the 2026 Old Timers Classic Stakes
FLIGHT CLUB (#3)
g. (Foose-Seperate Flight, Seperatist)
Breeder: Steve D Burns Dvm
Owner: Jerry Stojan
Trainer: William H. Leech
Jockey: Alexander Marti
Remaining Order of Finish: Miss Fancy Nancy (#1), Team Rip 109 (#2), Fired (#5), Flash Me a Corona (#4)
Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Stakes.-G3
FIRE BOLT B (#6)
g. (Bolt of Fire-She a Elektra B, Fdd Dynasty)
Breeder: Bielau Oaks (TX)
Owner: Sedillo, Tony E. and RC Racing, LLC
Trainer: Sedillo, Richard
Jockey: Duran, Nestor
Remaining Order of Finish: Gjr Rooster (#7), Dm Special Cat (#1), Music Dash (#4), Kvn Valiant Corona (#2), Big Lew Love (#8), Hezamonzter (#5), Daybreak N Dash (#3)
Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 John Buchanan Memorial Stakes
CHIEFTAINESS (#8)
f. (Chilitos-Chief Lark, Chief Corona)
Breeder: Rodriguez, Mario
Owner: Mario G. Rodriguez
Trainer: Rodriguez, Martin
Jockey: Giles, Francisco
Remaining Order of Finish: Mrs Pyc Painted Nova (#1), Go Zippalitas (#2), Karma Cha Ching (#9), Dm Chilianna (#6), This Eagles a Leader (#7), Chile Piquin (#4), Miss Nely (#5), I B a Big Girl (#3)
Delta Downs
WINNER of the 2026 Mother’s Day Stakes
SAN LORENZO LUNA (#6)
f. (Coronas Leaving You-Dashnunder Afullmoon, Heza Fast Dash)
Breeder: Rogelio Marquez Jr (LA)
Owner: Rogelio Marquez, Jr.
Trainer: Garcia, Juan
Jockey: Rodriguez, Leonardo
Remaining Order of Finish: Usxpress (#4), Jj Jessa Dynasty (#1), Rf Imperial Choice (#8), Pyc Paint Your Guns (#2), Runnning With Faith (#3), Carters Showgirl (#7)
Scratched Horses:
Jrs Jeeses Cartel
Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Leon Bard Memorial Stakes
JESS CARTEL BLUE (#1)
g. (Jess Louisiana Blue-Cartel Leader, Corona Cartel)
Breeder: Pete A Scarmardo (TX)
Owner: Pete A. Scarmardo
Trainer: Stinebaugh, John
Jockey: Linares, Gilberto
Remaining Order of Finish: Feenom (#3), Sign of a Jet (#4), Ym Flyin (#8), Shot of Takillya (#2), Jet Outta Heere (#6), Prize Time Lelo (#5), First Cash Boy (#7)
Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Adequan Derby Finals
THE VALIANT FLAME (#1)
f. (The Louisiana Cartel-Valiant Flame, Valiant Hero)
Breeder: Torres Buildings (TX)
Owner: Torres Buildings
Trainer: Stroud, Brian
Jockey: Herbert, Jose
Remaining Order of Finish: Corona Streakin Jess (#3), Fdd El Jefe (#4), Won Salty Corona (#2), Inflation (#5), Vp Dash for Texas (#7), Otts Moore (#9), The Evangelist (#10)
Scratched Horses:
Full Throttle N, The Texas Hammer
Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 John Deere Juvenile Final Stakes
TOP SHELVE (#4)
f. (Tarzanito-Tf Dashin Ms Perry, Sir Runaway Dash)
Breeder: Jude or Regina Robicheaux
Owner: David L. Martinez
Trainer: Villarreal, Ramiro
Jockey: Duran, Nestor
Remaining Order of Finish: Denhawken (#6), Jeg Fascination B (#3), Bigg Mistake (#1), Tell Fire (#8), Valiant Magic Mike (#7), Blazin On Monday (#9), Trumps Train (#5)
Scratched Horses:
Mr Mallard Hocks
Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Texas Breeders Futurity
COWBOYS FLYING (#1)
g. (Flying Cowboy 123-Cartels Lady, Carters Cartel)
Breeder: Dr Tommy Hays
Owner: Double J Racing
Trainer: Villarreal, Ramiro
Jockey: Urieta, Jr., Victor
Remaining Order of Finish: Apollitical Cowboy (#7), Mister Carter (#5), Jc Canelo (#6), Coronas First Cowboy (#2), Reverzcowgirl (#4), Natural Flyin Cowboy (#10), Whoopie Cowgirl (#9), Divina Tres Seis (#8)
Scratched Horses:
Jp Tempting Jewel
Remington Park
WINNER of the 2026 Mister Lewie Memorial Stakes-G1
LIVEWIRES TURNPIKE (#10)
g. (Crm Livewire-Wagon On Turnpike, Pyc Paint Your Wagon)
Breeder: Pevehouse, Nolan
Owner: Bryan Hawk
Trainer: Whitekiller, Matt
Jockey: Calderon, Francisco
Remaining Order of Finish: Wire Tap (#7), Turbulent (#6), Over the Shock (#1), Valiant Anthem (#8), Storms Livewire (#4), Nota Pocahontas (#9), Gitter Dun Belle (#2)
Scratched Horses:
Wired Bb (unseated rider at break), Cowgirl Chaos
Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Sam Houston Classic Stakes
KAS PRIETITO (#6)
g. (Kas Tempting-Marys Corazon, Azoom)
Breeder: Rancho J S
Owner: Soto, Fernando and Soto, Rolando
Trainer: Fuentes, Sergio
Jockey: Maldonado, Luis
Remaining Order of Finish: Ima Chili (#3), Paint Me Onis (#4), Tha Duke (#7), A Sweet Arthur (#2), Celena Olena (#8), Mystic Paint (#5), Onthrocks (#10), Full Boogie (#9), Lil Perry Wagon (#1)
OKLAHOMA CITY – Livewires Turnpike won the Grade 1, $24,000 Mister Lewie Memorial Stakes for the third time in four years on Saturday night at Remington Park. The triumph gives his trainer, Matt Whitekiller, his seventh trip to the winner’s circle in this stakes series.
When asked what this horse winning again means, he said, “It means he’s getting old.”
Livewires Turnpike is now a 6-year-old Oklahoma-bred Paint by CRM Livewire, out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon (QH) mare Wagon On Turnpike. He has won the Mister Lewie as a 3-, 4-, and 6-year-old. Livewires Turnpike, who was sent off as the 9-5 favorite over the second choice, Wire Tap at 2-1, outlasted last year’s winner of the Mister Lewie by 1-1/2 lengths in the 400-yard race. Wire Tap won the 2025 edition of this stakes when Livewires Turnpike ran seventh. The two Paints are barn-mates for Whitekiller. The last time Whitekiller didn’t win the Mister Lewie was 2022 when the Appaloosa, Queen for Cash, was the winner from the barn of trainer Jesus Ruiz.
Jockey Francisco Calderon recorded a riding double Saturday night when Livewires Turnpike crossed the finish line first. Calderon has won this race the past four years and that moved him past the all-time winningest Paint jockey Cody Smith for most wins in the series. Smith has won the Mister Lewie three times.
“(Livewires Turnpike) looked really good in the paddock,” Calderon said. “He looked like his old self tonight. He ran a great race. Matt had him right and ready to go.”
Whitekiller said this horse has had some feet problems and gave his barn staff all the credit for him running like he did Saturday night.
“He has always been a sound horse,” Whitekiller said, “but he’s had those problems. My staff has done an amazing job with him.”
This was just Livewires Turnpike’s third race in the past two years.
“He is something special,” said owner Bryan Hawk. “He was going to tell us when he was ready to run again and he did just that tonight. He is really something special.”
Livewires Turnpike gave Hawk his third win in the series, moving him into first place for most wins by an owner as he has surpassed several with two victories. The winner was bred by Nolan Pevehouse.
Livewires Turnpike covered the 400 yards in :19.553, earning a 96 speed index. His time was so much faster than the American Quarter Horses qualifying for the Heritage Place Derby on Saturday night as a thunderstorm was beginning to move through Remington Park just about the time these Paints and Appaloosas were entering the gate for this race. They benefitted from a strong tailwind while the Quarter Horses ran into a headwind all evening.
Livewires Turnpike paid $5.80 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.80 to show. Wire Tap, with Smith in the saddle, was another head in front of third-place finisher Turbulent (5-1). Whitekiller ran first, second and fourth in this Mister Lewie as he also had Over the Shock (7-1) check into the top four, a neck back of Turbulent, trained by the all-time winningest conditioner of the mixed breeds, Dee Keener.
Livewires Turnpike pocketed $14,520 from the $24,000 purse to improve his lifetime record to 23 starts, 14 wins, two seconds and two thirds for a bankroll of $262,094.
The rest of the order of finish past the top four was Valiant Anthem (35-1) fifth, Storms Livewire (8-1) sixth, Nota Pocahontas (16-1) seventh, Gitter Dunn Belle (39-1) eighth and Wired BB (8-1) ninth. Wired Bb, a supplemental entry to this stake, lost his jockey, Jonathan Dominguez, at the gate as the horse leaned backwards and the flipping halter he was utilizing kept his gate closed a split second longer because of his actions. When the gate stall doors did finally open, Wired BB reared up, losing Dominguez. The horse was a starter as he had caused his own issues.
The Mister Lewie Memorial Stakes is named in honor of the late, great Lewis Wartchow, who was the King of the Paints, winning more all-time races for this breed for years and years before passing away in 2003, shortly after his 65th birthday. He held the Remington Park record for stakes wins in the Quarter Horse and Mixed-breed seasons with 34 at the time of his passing.
Remington Park racing continues Sunday at 4 p.m. with 12 races carded, including seven trials for 3-year-old fillies trying to qualify for the finals of the Grade 2, $373,800 Heritage Place Oaks, set for May 30. Those trials, races 4-10, have been carded for 400 yards.
Remington Park has provided more than $411 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
By Richard Linihan
OKLAHOMA CITY – There were two things that happened Saturday night in the Heritage Place Derby trials that had people buzzing – how impressive Luziana Man, the fastest qualifier, looked winning, and JC Speeding giving his competitors more than a length head start and still coming out on top in his trial.
Despite breaking dead last in his trial, JC Speeding, a winner of 7-of-11 career starts and track record holder for Paints at Remington Park (he is dual registered as a Paint and an American Quarter Horse) quickly moved past his opponents like a hot knife through butter to get up for the win. With his amazing recovery and late run, JC Speeding qualified for the finals of the Grade 2, $335,800 Heritage Place Derby on Saturday, May 30.
The JC Speeding effort was the talk of the night until Luziana Man left his field of non-qualifiers like they were standing still in the final 100 yards of his 400-yard heat. His win by two full lengths was by far the fastest of all the 3-year-old Quarter Horses in the seven trials.
The 3-year-old Louisiana-bred gelded son of Dominyun stopped the timer in :19.578, earning a speed index of 95. The next fastest speed index for the entire evening was 91 from the second-fastest qualifier, Point Blank Range, who won his trial in :19.731. JC Speeding was next, qualifying in :19.771 seconds for a 90 SI.
Luziana Man, under jockey Bryan Candanosa, was virtually even with two other runners in mid-stretch until he turned on his after-jets and began to blast away, pulling away like some kind of giant magnet was drawing him to the finish line. This horse, owned by Rosalio Espinosa and Jerry Deville, Jr., of Mission, Texas, won an Oklahoma Derby trial earlier this meet at Remington Park, but broke slowly in the finals and, despite that, still finished a fast closing fourth.
Luziana Man was one of the top horses in Louisiana during his 2-year-old year, nearly winning three big stakes races. He finished second, beaten a neck in the Grade 1, $598,000 Lee Berwick Memorial Louisiana Bred Futurity on July 12 last year, followed by a head loss in second for the Grade 1, $535,000 LQHBA Sale Futurity on Aug. 30. Those two races were both at Delta Downs in Louisiana. He didn’t stop there. On Dec. 20, he showed up in the Grade 1, LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity and got beat by a head, running third at Evangeline Downs, also in Louisiana.
If that weren’t enough, Luziana Man also had lost by a half-length earlier in the year in the Grade 2, $268,895 Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity at Delta on May 24, running second.
The romp in the Heritage Place Derby trial improves the career mark for Luziana Man to 12 starts, seven wins, three seconds and one third for earnings of $416,197. All that for a horse still looking for his first stakes win, believe it or not. He was bred by Jerry West and was purchased like they got him at a swap meet, for a mere $13,500 from the LQHBA Yearling Sale of 2024.
The following were the 10 fastest qualifiers from Saturday (horse, jockey, trainer, time, speed index, trial number, race number):
Remington Park, racing continues Sunday at 4 p.m. with 12 races carded including seven trials for 3-year-old fillies trying to qualify for the finals of the Grade 2, $373,800 Heritage Place Oaks set for Saturday, May 30. Those trials, races 4-10, have been carded for 400 yards.
Remington Park has provided more than $411 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
By Richard Linihan
– LEADING JOCKEY LEONARDO RODRIGUEZ LEADS THE FILLY TO VICTORY-
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $33,600 Mother’s Day stakes on Saturday night as the track wrapped up its third week of American Quarter Horse racing for 2026. The 350-yard test for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares was won by San Lorenzo Luna under jockey Leonardo Rodriguez.
San Lorenzo Luna used a strong kick in the Mother’s Day to rally late and defeat Usxpress by a neck, while early leader and wagering favorite Jj Jessa Dynasty hung on for third, another neck behind the runner-up. San Lorenzo Luna, who is owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and trained by Juan Garcia, covered the distance over a sloppy track in a time of 17.888 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 88.
The win by San Lorenzon Luna marked the sixth of her 14-race career. She earned $21,000 for the effort and now has a bankroll of $94,060.
Bred in Louisiana by her owner, San Lorenzo Luna is a 4-year-old filly by Coronas Leaving You, out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Dashnunder Afullmoon.
Sent to the gate at 5-2 odds, San Lorenzo Luna paid $7.80 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.20 to show. Usxpress was worth $4.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Jj Jessa Dynasty returned $2.10 to show.
For more information about the season visit the track’s website at www.deltadowns.com/race, Fans can also follow the track through social media on Facebook and Twitter.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center and the Delta Downs Sportsbook.
Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.
By Don Stevens
OKLAHOMA CITY – Curls Favorite Jet continued a family line of success Thursday night at Remington Park. The 2-year-old gelded Oklahoma-bred was the fastest qualifier on the first night of trials for the Grade 1, $1,158,940 million Heritage Place Futurity.
The five fastest horses from Thursday will join the five fastest from another 13 trials on Friday night to make up the field of 10 that will vie for the richest purse in Oklahoma horse racing on the final night of the season, Champions Night, Saturday, May 30.
Curls Favorite Jet, with jockey Francisco Calderon in the saddle, cruised home a winner in the third of 13 trials Thursday, covering 350 yards in a time of :17.708, earning a speed index of 86. That came into a headwind of 7 mph over a fast track surface.
If that winner’s name sounds familiar, it’s because his dam (mother), Eye A Spit Curl Girl, drops babies that can soar above others at the racetrack and fly like the wind.
Curls Favorite Jet is a half-brother to champion aged mares, Curls Happy Wagon and Curls Joyful Wagon. All three are out of the same mare, Eye A Spit Curl Girl. She was named an American Quarter Horse Association Dam of Distinction in 2025, having produced at least two champion racehorses. Eye A Spit Curl Girl is a 2010 brown mare, owned and bred by Martin Stacy of Irving, Texas, the same owner and breeder of the fastest qualifier Thursday night, Curls Favorite Jet. His dam has produced nine starters who have earned more than $1.3 million.
Curls Happy Wagon won 9-of-20 races lifetime for earnings of $360,674 and was a multiple graded stakes winner for Martin and Michael A. Pohl. Her biggest win came in the Grade 1, $125,000 Mildred N. Vessels Memorial Handicap at Los Alamitos on the West Coast in 2020. Curls Joyful Wagon won 9-of-29 in her career for a bankroll of $479,505. Her biggest victory came in the Grade 1, $107,280 Junos Request Stakes here at Remington Park in 2025.
Curls Favorite Jet, trained by John Stinebaugh, was sent off as the 1-5 heavy favorite in his trial and paid $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. He drew off to the victory by a full length over Prophets View (2-1 second favorite) who checked in second, another three-quarters of a length ahead of Whistlin Dixi (7-1).
The following were the five fastest qualifiers from on the first night of Heritage Place Futurity Trials on Thursday. They are listed by horse, jockey, trainer, time, speed index and trial number:
Trainer James J. Gonzales III may have had the best night next to Stinebaugh as he won three of the trials on the evening. His top horse was the third qualifier, Bett the Limit. Gonzales’ other two winners came in the fifth race and trial as Running Cowboy 123 hit the wire first and then Rizzler captured the sixth race and trial. Neither of those two qualified for the final.
Wind was not a factor in the trials Thursday as it fluctuated between 7-10 mph the entire night.
Remington Park racing continues Friday night with 13 more Heritage Place trials on tap with a first post time of 6 p.m. Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $410 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
By Richard Linihan
OKLAHOMA CITY – Handin Out Candy does nothing but hand out wins to his owner Emilio Perez, of Arlington, Texas, when he races around the turn. He continued his magic Saturday at Remington Park, winning his seventh race in a row at 870 yards, winning the $51,360 Pauls Valley Stakes as the even-money favorite.
It was the first time jockey James Flores had been on the winner, taking over for regular rider Omar Iturralde, and Flores said he was just along for the ride.
“It was an easy trip,” the winning jock said. “He is such a professional and just does his thing every time. I can’t say I had much to do with it. He showed he can run.”
Handin Out Candy is not only fast, but he is a huge horse, weighing in at 1,332 pounds Saturday. In comparison, the fourth-place finisher and past distance champion at Remington Park, O Donovan Rossa, checked in at 1,051 pounds for the Pauls Valley Stakes.
This was the second stakes in a row that Handin Out Candy has swept at Remington Park, having won the Grade 2 Remington Park Distance Challenge on March 28 by 2-3/4 lengths. Iturralde rode him that night. His margin of victory Saturday was three-quarters of a length over a stellar field. Wynnchester (9-2) was the runner-up, another half-length ahead of third-place Cash Back Hero (8-1).
Handin Out Candy, a 7-year-old Alabama-bred gelded son of Jess Good Candy, from the Dash Ta Fame mare Ole Auntie Em, began his winning streak July 31, 2025, at Retama Park near San Antonio, Texas, winning an allowance race, followed by wins in the Distance Challenge Stakes at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sept. 20 and the Grade 1 Distance Challenge Championship, also at Albuquerque. The streak continued on Dec. 14 in the King Rick Rack Stakes at Zia Park in New Mexico before hanging it up for the year. He has now won all three of his 2026 starts at Remington Park.
The winner earned $29,400 for his trip to the winner’s circle and improved his record to 39 starts, 12 wins, nine seconds and three thirds for a bankroll of $350,190. He was bred by Paris Wixon and was a $20,000 bargain purchase out of the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale in 2020.
Handin Out Candy paid $4.20 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show and stopped the timer in :45.189 on a fast track, earning a speed index of 95. The rest of the order of finish past the top three was O Donovan Rossa (3-1) fourth, Rock Ya Later (22-1) fifth, Mister Lights Out (9-1) sixth and Chickn Hock (10-1) seventh. Into the Lite scratched.
“I just want to thank God and everyone that supports me, this horse and the team,” said Perez, of Arlington, Texas. “We will keep him here for the Distance Championship on closing night and then take him to Albuquerque, then to Retama and Hobbs (N.M., Zia Park).”
The Pauls Valley Stakes, named after the city located about one hour south of Remington Park and Oklahoma City, is for American Quarter Horses, 3-years-old and older around the turn.
This is the first victory in the Pauls Valley Stakes for all the connections of Handin Out Candy.
Remington Park racing continues Sunday at 4pm-Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $410 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.
By Richard Linihan
The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission’s Board of Stewards has outlined a detailed process for trainers seeking to return protected horses to racing following the April 22 emergency orders.
The new guidelines require a case-by-case review focused on horse welfare and racing integrity. “The central question is whether… allowing the horse to compete would not… compromise equine welfare,” the document states.
Horses are divided into two groups, with those that experienced severe post-race distress facing heightened scrutiny.
Trainers must submit a separate application for each horse, including a full 90-day history, complete veterinary and treatment records, and a sworn certification. Independent veterinary evaluations, and in some cases specialist reviews, are mandatory.
Each horse must also complete extensive diagnostic testing and a supervised workout, where officials monitor performance and recovery.
“No horse will be removed… based upon assurances alone,” the instructions emphasize.
Stewards may approve, deny, or delay decisions, but no horse will return to racing unless officials are satisfied there are no remaining safety concerns.
Officials stressed that the process is protective, not punitive, with the goal of ensuring horses can safely and humanely compete.
View the documents below:
Trainer Instruction for removal of protected Horses
Trainer Checklist
By Speedhorse
