Candy Cartels Jess rallied to win the finale on Thursday, April 4, 2024 under jockey Francisco Calderon. It was the third consecutive win for Candy Cartels Jess, dating back to fall 2023.

© Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 4, 2024– Candy Cartels Jess never gave up after breaking mid-pack from the gate for the featured allowance race Thursday night at Remington Park. His determination got him to the finish line first, winning by a half-length for his third victory in a row.

Jockey Francisco Calderon was aboard for this effort at 330 yards for Oklahoma-bred non-winners of three races lifetime, American Quarter Horses that were 3-years-old-and-up. The victor’s previous two trips to the winner’s circle came with James Flores in the irons at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., last fall.

On this night, however, it was Calderon who pushed all the right buttons and got the win for trainer Kash Reed and owner Coke Gage, Jr. of Decatur, Texas. Candy Cartels Jess had won a maiden special weight race on Oct. 17 last fall at WRD and followed that up with a victory on Nov. 14 there against allowance non-winners of two.

Candy Cartels Jess went off as the even-money favorite and paid $4 to win, a generous $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show. BV Brother (7-1) got up for second, a nose ahead of third-place finisher Gigi Tianna (7-2). Candy Cartels Jess earned $17,559 from the $31,625 purse and improved to nine starts, three wins and two seconds for a bankroll of $49,422. He was a $116,000 purchase in the 2021 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale in New Mexico.

Running time for the winner was :16.645 over a fast track for a speed-index of 94. He finished ahead of such horses as BV Brother in this race, who had won his Heritage Place Futurity trial at Remington Park last year, and Gigi Tianna, who came within a neck of winning the $113,000 Altoona Derby at Prairie Meadows in Iowa.

Candy Cartels Jess was bred in Oklahoma by PV Quarter Horse Farms. He is a 4-year-old gelding by Jess Good Candy from the Corona Cartel mare Candy Cartel.

Remington Park racing continues Friday with a first post time of 6 p.m. CDT.

Remington Park has provided more than $345 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, Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The Remington Park Futurity for Oklahoma-breds is featured on April 27. The 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1. starts its 50-date season. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

Remington Park racing continues this week with a Thursday-Sunday schedule. First post time is 6 p.m. CDT nightly except for Sundays when the first race goes off at 4 p.m.

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About Remington Park

Remington Park has provided more than $345 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, Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The Remington Park Futurity for Oklahoma-breds is featured on April 27. The 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1. starts its 50-date season. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.