OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 20, 2013—The $720,000 Remington Park Futurity came down to the finish line in every sense of the term. Houdini used a quick start to lead every step except the last one of 330 yards as Coronado Cartel caught the would-be escape artist to win in the last head-bob by a nose.

Owned by Reliance Ranches of Llano, Texas and trained by Eddie Willis, Coronado Cartel was ridden by Jimmy Brooks. The big colt chased Houdini throughout the rich futurity for Oklahoma-breds, making up a length to snatch victory away from his rival.

“My horse left there but Houdini, he left there exceptionally well. I was playing catch up the whole way. We were inching to him,” Brooks noted afterward. “I didn’t know if we got him or not… I thought I did but it was close.”

The photo-finish image revealed Coronado Cartel scoring by a slim nose margin with Houdini narrowly defeated. Ellen’s Regard was a neck back of the runner-up in third.

Remaining undefeated thru three starts this season, Coronado Cartel stopped the clock in :16.755 seconds over a fast track.

The heavy-wagering favorite at 2-5 odds, Coronado Cartel paid $2.80 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Houdini returned $7.40 to place and $4.80 to show. Ellen’s Regard paid $3.40 to show.

This was the first Remington Park Futurity win for Reliance Ranches, who purchased the Corona Cartel colt for $290,000 at the Ruidoso Select Summer Yearling Sale last September. Trainer Eddie Willis has now won the race three times, adding this win to those of Outdashing (2002) and Redman Running (2003). Brooks rode his second winner in the race as he also scored aboard Flying Dino in 1998.

Coronado Cartel is a colt from the Mr Jess Perry mare First Carolina. He was bred in Oklahoma by Weetona Stanley and William Smith, a partnership of Madill, Okla. The winner’s check for the Remington Park Futurity is $288,000, boosting the overall earnings for Coronado Cartel to $309,428. First Carolina, who won the Grade 1 Remington Park Futurity in 2006, is also the dam of Rainbow Juvenile winner Denver Pass.

Houdini is a homebred son of leading sire Valiant Hero owned and raced by Ellen Kennedy Living Trust. Luis Villafranco conditions the 2-year-old gelding from the Takin On The Cash mare Pure Oklahoma. Ridden by Juan Vazquez, Houdini earned $122,400 to bring his career total to $143,274 after two wins and a second in three starts.

HTR Stables LLC's Ellens Regard earned $79,200 for her effort. The Chicks Regard filly out of Diamonds For Casey, by Heza Fast Man, is saddled by Stacy Capps and ridden by Beckley Packer. Kenneth Harlow is the breeder.

Completing the field were Bp Secrets Zoom, Walking Perry, Smokealittlesmoke, Jess One More Thing, Runaway Renata and Quick Shooter.

The Remington Park American Quarter Horse & Mixed-Breed Season continues Sunday afternoon and is headlined by the $100,000 Remington Park Juvenile. The 10-race card begins at 1:30pm.

Open daily at 10:30am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park is the home of the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity on June 1. Featuring the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor, admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park.

Tracked by over 33,000 fans on Facebook and 3,700 Twitter followers, Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino and is located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.