Sale Dates
Race Dates
Sale Dates
Race Dates

Apollitical Muse Pulls Surprise at 11-1 Odds In Heritage Place Oaks at Remington Park

ApolliticalMuse_HPOaks_RP_Orona
©Dustin Orona Photography

Apollitical Muse won the Grade 2, $300,900 Heritage Place Oaks on Saturday night a little more than a month after winning the Remington Park Oaks on April 19. Neither time did the betting public pay much attention to her.

On the night she won the Remington Park Oaks, Apollitical Muse paid $16.20 to win at 7-1 odds. Despite that half-length win in a $161,000 race, she was ignored again  Saturday night as the punters let her slide up to 11-1 odds from her morning line of 6-1. On this occasion, Apollitical Muse returned $25.40 to win, $9.20 to place and $5.20 to show, under jockey Roman Cruz, who had not ridden her since last year. 

Remington Park’s top jockey of the meet, Juan Pulido, was in the irons when she won the Remington Park Oaks. Pulido chose to ride Js Freightrain in the Heritage Place Oaks and she could only manage a fifth-place finish as the 3-5 odds-on betting favorite.

“I rode her last year in Tulsa (at Fair Meadows),” said Cruz, “and she had a big, big heart. This time, I was like, I just wish I could get her back, you know, since I know her. They put me back on her as a last-minute thing. I knew she could break well and she left there running. I said, ‘It’s time to win this race. Let’s go, and she did it.’ “

Apollitical Muse, a 3-year-old Oklahoma-bred filly by Apollitical Jess, out of the Southern Cartel mare BP Shes Southern, broke on top out of the gate and never was headed, winning by a head, outlasting runner-up Rainbow of Diamonds (5-2), who was the fastest qualifier for the race. 

Cruz was not home free even after winning the Oaks by that short margin. He also had to survive an objection by Rainbow of Diamonds’ trainer Victor Rodriguez-Flores. The stewards had put up the inquiry sign in the race as well when Apollitical Muse drifted out in the last half of the race from the post-position two. Rainbow of Diamonds was in the post four. The judges looked at the claim of foul for about five minutes before disallowing it.

“I mean, yeah, she broke up front and I don’t know if the TV (super screen) scared her; she never does that,” said Cruz. “I was just thinking, ‘keep her straight and we might win it.’ I don’t have no explanation why she kept lugging out. But, during the race, I turned around and saw nobody. I wasn’t worried, no.”

Apollitical Muse ran the 400 yards in :19.398 over a fast track. Her trainer, Jed Vane, was a little bit confused as to why she went off at such high odds.

“They didn’t respect her tonight (at 11-1),” he said. “They didn’t respect her in the Remington Park Oaks (at 7-1). Maybe they’ll start respecting her now.”

Apollitical Muse’s owner Gregory Cullum of Fort Gibson, Okla., echoed his trainer’s thoughts.

“Her odds would have been even higher if I hadn’t bet on her,” he said with a laugh. “I’m very happy to have spent $55,000 (at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale in 2023) for this mare after tonight.”

The public may not have liked Apollitical Muse, but Vane said he had complete faith.

“I loved our chances all along,” Vane said. “The mare’s got a lot of heart. She has a lot of try. I’m so blessed that Greg sent this mare to us and that Roman picked her up today. I have a great team at the barn. It takes an army. I’m so proud of them.”

Apollitical Muse pocketed $126,378 for the win and now sits at 14 starts, six wins, two seconds and one third for lifetime earnings of $258,560.

The rest of the order of finish for the Oaks after the top two was DK Marney Jess (6-1) in third, Bold N Beautiful (56-1) fourth, Js Freightrain (the beaten wagering favorite, 3-5) fifth, Sheza Fearless Eagle (49-1) sixth, Catchn Southern Rays (32-1) seventh, Candy Flood (28-1) eighth, Flying Bandida (47-1) ninth and Jo Cash Run (83-1) 10th.

The winning filly was bred in Oklahoma by Rancho El Cabresto. This was only the fourth running of the Heritage Place Oaks and it was the first win in this stakes race for all connections.

SHARE THIS STORY

Up next

ElizabethLoganforIndProfile0O6A6604
©Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse

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

ohrc-logo-full-color
©OHRC

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

JESS SINFUL - Maiden Stakes Trial - 05-11-26 - R11 - Horseshoe Indiana - Finish 01
©Coady Media

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

Your compare list

Compare
REMOVE ALL
COMPARE
0