Mr Michel, ridden by David Alvarez, Jr. wins the $53,200 SLM Big Daddy Stakes [G2] at Remington Park on Sunday.

© Dustin Orona Photography

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 9, 2025–The stakes-winning powerhouse, Mr Michel, gets his first victory outside of Indiana in the $53,200 SLM Big Daddy Stakes [G2] on Sunday evening at Remington Park. Not only was it his first time to race at a different track, but it was his first time to run at 550 yards.

Trailing Js On Fire until the final stretch, jockey David Alvarez, Jr. put Mr Michel into high gear at the wire for a 3/4-length victory in 26.656 seconds. With a five mph tailwind, the post-time favorite clocked a 106-speed index, and the 550-yard victory paid $5.40 to win.

"At first, I thought I wasn't going to catch up, but thank God he made a really good bid the last 50 yards and ran pretty well," stated Alvarez.

The $29,625 winner's share of the purse boosted Mr Michel's bankroll to $561,300. The son of Kiss My Hocks has lit the board 20 of 26 starts with 14 victories, nine of which were in stakes competition. Trainer Cristian Alcala saddled the fierce competitor for owner Alberto Valadez.

The winning connections of Mr Michel accept the $53,200 SLM Big Daddy Stakes [G2] trophy at Remington Park on Sunday. © Dustin Orona Photography

Alcala explained, "The owner said we should try him in the 550, and I thought we had a good shot with him. We just trained him the same going into the new distance. He's a classy horse and can do it all."

"He loves that 440 distance, so I was really excited about that next 110 yards to see him going into that 550 distance," continued Alcala.

Mr Michel's nine stakes victories include The Indiana Championship Stakes (twice), Bradford Stakes (three times), Carter Riley Stakes, Bob Woodward Memorial Classic, QHRAI SSA Derby, and Miss Roxie Little Futurity. He earned the Central High-Point Aged Gelding honor.

Sold as a yearling for $17,500 in the QHRAI Stallion Service Auction, Mr Michel went through the ring at this year's Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale but was repurchased for $200,000. Mark Michel bred the six-year-old gelding in Indiana out of Lovemelikethat by Likenothinyoueversaw.

Js On Fire, ridden by Bryan Candanosa, was caught at the wire for second, clocking a 104 speed index. Mike Joiner conditions the son of Hes Relentless for owner Joshua Owens. The four-time winner is a multiple Grade 1 finalist with $107,461 in earnings.

Rancho El Cabresto, Inc. bred Js On Fire in Oklahoma out of the Apollitical Jess mare As And Js. Owens purchased the four-year-old gelding from Ranch El Cabresto for $105,000 in the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

One Fabulous Boy, with Angel Ramirez in the irons, placed third. Trained by Edward Hardy, the six-year-old gelding has eight wins from 21 starts with $198,593 in the bank, including the Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge [G2] in 2023 and 2024.

Diane and Paul Wolfe bred and own the son of One Fabulous Eagle in Oklahoma out of Check Out Kaelie by Check Him Out.

Tempting Cowboy, One Stolin Eagle, Rock Ya Later, Kool Man Kenny, Kg See If I Care, Louies Hightime Dash and Rays A Rebel complete the order of finish.

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