Calling Chicks wins the fifth trial of the evening on Thursday at Remington Park to post the top qualifying time on the first night of trials for the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity.

© Dustin Orona Photography

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—MAY 8, 2025—Calling Chicks wasn’t expected to win his Heritage Place Futurity trial on Thursday at Remington Park; he was a longshot at 15-1 odds. He certainly was the surprise of the night when he was the fastest qualifier on night one, cementing a spot in the finals of this Grade 1 $1,161,010 race on May 31.

The Heritage Place Futurity is the cornerstone 350-yard race for 2-year-old American Quarter Horses and is one of the most heralded futurities in the country annually, and the richest horse race in Oklahoma.

The fastest five horses from 13 trials on Thursday and the five fastest of 13 more trials on Friday will make up the field of 10 finalists for the million-dollar race.

In the fifth trial on Thursday, Calling Chicks, a beautiful gray gelding by the Mr Eye Opener stallion Eyesa Cashing Teller, broke on top early under jockey Roman Cruz and never was headed.

He looked more like 1-5 than 15-1 as he opened up to a three-quarters length victory in his heat. When he hit the line in 17.438 seconds, earning a 95 speed-index on the fast track.

Despite eight more trials to run, it was the fastest time of the night. It was run with a slight tailwind behind him, virtually the same speed for every race Thursday night, between 5-8 mph.

No one could have expected this from a horse that had run fourth and fifth in his first two starts. The key, however, was that his first two tries came against futurity trial company, not maidens.

In his first start for trainer Buddy Clay, Calling Chicks raced on a sloppy track in the Oklahoma Futurity trials and finished 1-1/4 lengths behind the eventual winner of the Remington Park Futurity – Flying Joy 1.

The next time out, Calling Chicks faced Remington Park Futurity trial horses and could do no better than fifth, beaten 1-1/2 lengths. His speed index that night over a muddy track (90) was certainly good enough to win a trial for the Heritage Place, and that’s just what he did on Thursday as the fastest qualifier. It was also the first time Calling Chicks had raced over a fast track. Possibly another determining factor as well.

Calling Chicks, bred in Oklahoma by Dr. Curtis Smith, broke his maiden in this trial and put a smile on the face of owner H E Racing (Hector Estrada) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Out of the Fly Jess Fly mare Call Me Paratus, Calling Chick is from the family of Remington Park Futurity(G1) winner Chicks Call Me

He paid $32.60 to win, $10.60 to place and $3.80 to show across the board. Cruz, last year’s top rider at Remington Park for the first time, had ridden Calling Chicks in his first race, was off in the second start, and then got back on him Thursday for one more chance.

It paid off. Incredibly, a horse earning only $9,649 in three starts has a shot at a winner's purse valued at $487,624 in three weeks. If that isn’t enough to make a great story, it must also be pointed out that the owner bought Calling Chicks for $8,000 from the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale in 2024.

Dr Americas Dynasty, under jockey Juan Pulido, got the head bob over Hawkey Vision in Race 4 to post the second fastest clocking of 17.481 seconds, a 94 speed index.

Racing for owner-breeder Dunn Ranch, the Ivory James filly is out of the stakes-placed FDD Dynasty mare America Dynasty, a sister to Golden State Million Futurity(G1) winner Whizkey Glasses. This is the family of Ruidoso Derby(G2) winner Southern Cartel.

Trainer Marco Chavez-Gutierrez saddled the home-bred to her second win in four starts. She won his trial for the Remington Park Futurity(RG1) and was fourth in the Laico Bird Stakes(RG3) last month. Dr Americas Dynasty has banked $22,680.

Chavez-Gutierrez got four winners on the card, including a qualifier to the $100,000-Guaranteed Heritage Place Juvenile.

Runner-up in Race 4, Hawkeye Vision held on to the third fastest time of 17.507, a 93 speed index. Trainer James J. Gonzales III saddled the Hawkeye gelding for owner Duke Racing LLC.

Hawkeye Vision is the first foal of the Duponte mare Envision, a half-sister to All American Derby(G1) winner Instygator, Heritage Place Futurity (G1) winner Shott Gun, and stakes winner Maybellina.

The first two finalists for trainer Jason Olmstead came in the fifth trial when Jess Flashing The Cash finished three-quarters off fastest qualifier Calling Chicks. Jockey Ramiro Garcia rode the Oklahoma homebred to a 17.548 clocking, a 92 speed index, and the fourth fastest time on night 1.

Jess Flash The Cash, an Oklahoma homebred racing for owner-breeder Brenda Reiswig, is a daughter of champion Jess Good Candy and the first foal of stakes winner Royal Cash Flash, by First Moonflash. Royal Cash Flash is a half-sister to QHRA Fall Classic winner Apollitical Payoff and stakes-placed Shadi Lady. The second dam is the stakes-winning Tres Seis mare Seis The Royal Cash. This is the family of stakes winner Divide The Cash.

Olmstead-trained Effortless Dream exploded late under jockey Francisco Ramirez, Jr., to score his second straight win while posting the fifth-fastest time of 17.561, a 91 speed index.

Tom Maher, Richard Tobin, and Bill Maher purchased the son of leading sire Favorite Cartel for $67,000 at the September Heritage Place Sale from the Jordan Wiggins, Agent consignment.

Wallace Johnson bred the half-brother to Grade 2 winner Apollitical Scout and stakes winner One Famous Swinger. His dam is a half-sister to Ruidoso Derby(G1) winner Swingin Val and AQHA Dam of Distinction Swingin Otoole.

CLICK HERE for night 1's Heritage Place Futurity five qualifiers list with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

The second five fastest qualifiers tonight are preferred invites to the $100,000-Guaranteed Heritage Place Juvenile, which will also run back on Saturday, May 31. CLICK HERE for those horses.

Remington Park racing continues Friday, May 9, with the second night of Heritage Place Futurity trials and a special first post time of 5 p.m. The regular post time of 6 p.m. returns with 10 races on Saturday night, and 4 p.m. for Sunday’s card. All times are Central.

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Remington Park has provided more than $377 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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