OKLAHOMA CITY – Stetsonn fired up the engines on Saturday night when it was a must against a former All American Futurity winner. At longshot odds of 28-1, he made it to the finish first in the Grade 2, $70,405 AQHA Remington Park Championship Challenge.
The 2023 All American Futurity winner, Cowboys Gun Z, was sent off as the odds-on 4-5 favorite, but could only manage a fourth-place finish. Stetsonn finished a head in front of runner-up Shakers No Secret (9-2), who was another head better than third-place Js On Fire (7-1), last year’s winner of this race. It was another half-length back to Cowboys Gun Z.
Jockey James Flores was appreciative of the whole team in the barn and on the track for helping with this victory, his second in this series, having won in 2021.
“It was the first time I’ve ridden this horse and it was exciting,” said Flores. “Thanks to the connections and the assistant starter in the gate who had him all squared up when it opened. When I asked the horse for more, he did just enough to win.”
Stetsonn paid $58.40 to win, $18.20 to place and $9.80 to show, obviously surprising a lot of analysts who didn’t give him much of a chance.
“If only we were gamblers,” said trainer Dean Frey, with a laugh. “I thought we were asking quite a bit from him tonight. That was a tough field. I’ll have to talk to the owners before we decide what he will do next.”
The owners, Tom and Lou Ann Smith of Barnsdall, Okla., pocketed $33,091 from this stakes purse as Stetsonn stopped the timer for the classic Quarter Horse distance of 440 yards, in a time of :21.813, good for a 93 speed index over the fast track. This was the first victory in this race series for the owners and trainer.
Stetsonn improved his record to five wins from eight starts for $137,278. He was bred in Oklahoma by G.R. and Shaena Carter. Despite his excellent record lifetime, this 4-year-old gelded son of Jess Good Candy, out of the One Famous Eagle mare Stella Lou, was likely ignored on the toteboard because of a fifth place finish in the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, beaten three full lengths. The thing about that, however, is that he was beaten soundly in that race by the 2025 AQHA World Champion, FDD Dreams.
Stetsonn had also run fourth in last year’s $185,000 Remington Park Derby on April 19 for Oklahoma-breds. Tonight’s win was his third in four starts in Oklahoma City. He also is two-for-two at the distance of 440 yards. This was the first start of 2026 for Stetsonn who made his last attempt in the June 2025 Ruidoso Derby.
The rest of the order of finish behind the top four was Ultimate Battle (20-1) fifth, Scoops Dynasty (14-1) sixth, As Moonflash (7-2) seventh, Whata Lota Boy (32-1) eighth and Z Rexx (59-1) ninth. Tha Duke was scratched out of the race.
Remington Park racing continues Sunday with a first post of 4pm-Central.
Remington Park has provided more than $408 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 2026 Remington Park Futurity, the richest race of the season for Oklahoma-breds, takes place on Saturday, April 18. 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
