Valiant Painted Sign, under jockey Juan Pulido, set the fastest qualifying time in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby(RG1) trials on Sunday.

© Dustin Orona Photography

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 6, 2025—Let go at 6-1, Valiant Painted Sign defeated Lomax by a nose to set the fastest qualifying time from four trials contested Sunday afternoon for the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby(RG1) at Remington Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to the Oklahoma City racetrack on Saturday, April 19, to vie for the winner's share of $185,420, going a distance of 400 yards.

Fully extended at the wire, Valiant Painted Sign got the nod under jockey Juan Pulido while completing the 400 yards in 19.472 seconds, a 99-speed index with a 15 mph tailwind.

Josue Garcia trains the Valiant Hero gelding for owner-breeder Darling Farms. Bred from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Third Painted Sign, Valiant Painted Sign scored his second win in eight career starts. A finalist in the Texas Classic Juvenile last season he has earned $20,736.  

Runner-up Lomax, a son of Ivory James from the Game Patriot mare Mary Me Anna, held on to the second fastest clocking of 19.475, also a 99-speed index. Traner Tyler Stein tapped champion jockey Fransico Calderon to ride the colt for owner Tom Maher. Omar Paredes bred Lomax.

Valiant Hero got his second qualifier in the closing trial when champion jockey James Flores booted Toastin Heros to a three-quarter length victory in the third fastest clocking of 19.483, a 90-speed index with an 8 mph tailwind.

Clinton Crawford trains Toastin Heros for owner-breeder Gene Cox. Bred from the Corona Leaving You mare Toasting With Coronas, Toastin Heros was a finalist in the West Texas Derby(G3) earlier this year and the Mystery Futurity in 2024.  He has earned $67,818.

CLICK HERE for a list of the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby(RG1) finalists, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

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Remington Park has provided more than $376 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the casino's opening in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. The 2025 American Quarter Horse Season will begin on March 6. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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