Paulinas Knockout and Crystal Boi headline a strong debut for the young sire during Oklahoma Futurity trials at Remington Park

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By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

MENIFEE, CA–MARCH 9, 2026–Right out of the gates, two-time AQHA Racing Champion Golden Boi is already making an impression with his first starters.

Before this weekend, none of his foals had made an official start, but once the gates opened at Remington Park, it didn’t take long for them to make noise.

On Friday night, his first starter to hit the ground, Paulinas Knockout clocked the fastest qualifying time on day one to the $50,000 Oklahoma Juvenile in :15.838 seconds. Ridden by Cristian Esqueda, the sorrel filly broke fourth from the gates, but quickly took lead at first call and accelerated to a length finish against a 16 mph headwind.

Trainer Luis Villafranco saddled the filly for owner Mi Serenity. Bred by Ruse Ranch, LLC, she is out of the Apollitical Jess mare The Only Knockout, who was a stakes-placed runner and is a full sister to champion As And Js SI 102 ($531,134). Her second dam is blue-hen mare Adolph Tres Knockout SI 95 ($136,184).

Golden Boi’s progeny didn’t stop there.

On Saturday night, Crystal Boi recorded the second fastest qualifying time from day two of the $435,395 Oklahoma Futurity-G2 trials. Piloted by Bryan Candanosa, the sorrel gelding clocked an 89 speed index in 15.509 seconds.

With winds shifting to a slight 3-mph tailwind, the sorrel gelding dominated the sixth trial, leading from gate to wire and crossing the finish line 1 1/2 lengths clear of his rivals.

Breeder Ruse Ranch LLC also owns Crystal Boi in partnership with Jose Espinosa. Trained by Jose Lopez, he is out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apollitical Crystal, a graded stakes finalist. His second dam is champion Walk Thru Crystal SI 101 ($675,855), a full sister to graded stakes winner Crystal Sola SI 110 ($215,914).

Leading by example, Golden Boi SI 98 ($721,647) won eight of 12 career starts while earning AQHA champion honors twice. His victories included the Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1), El Primero Del Año Derby (G2) and Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap.

He also finished third in the Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1), California Breeders Freshman Stakes, and was a finalist in the Golden State Million Futurity (G1) and Z Wayne Griffin Directors Handicap.

With two winners from his first three starters, Golden Boi currently sits atop the leading first-crop sire standings, an early indicator the young stallion could remain among the leaders as the season progresses.

Golden Boi stands at Burns Ranch in Menifee, California for a fee of $5,000. For breeding information contact Steve Burns, DVM, farm manager, at 951-301-0201 or email info.burnsranch@gmail.com. Additional information is available at www.theburnsranch.com.

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