Vesper Martini, ridden by Roman Cruz, wins the $20,000 Speedhorse Graham Paint and Appaloosa Stakes-G1 at Remington Park on Saturday.

© Louanne Wainscott/ StallioneSearch

By Leann Noguera/StallioneSearch

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MAY 31, 2025–Post-time favorite Vesper Martini captured the $20,000 Speedhorse Graham Paint and Appaloosa Stakes-G1at Remington Park on Saturday. Trainer Dee Keener conditioned the top three finisher of the 350-yard stakes race.

Piloted by Roman Cruz, Vesper Martini fired off at first call, maintaining her lead to finish by 1/2-length victory over Wf Apolitical Bullet. She stopped the clock at 17.618 seconds for a 90 speed index.

Vesper Martini secured the $11,400 winner’s share of the purse, boosting her career earnings to $123,432 for owner 918 Bloodstock. The daughter of Painted Turnpike has lit the board 11 of 13 starts with seven wins, including the Pot O Gold Futurity and Texas Hero Juvenile from her freshman campaign.

Vesper Martini’s connections accept the Speedhorse P&A Stakes winning trophy at Remington Park on Saturday. © Louanne Wainscott/StallioneSearch

Ridden by Roman Cruz, Vesper Martini is a 2022 Oklahoma-bred filly by out of Martinis N Bikinis, by Red Storm Cat. She is trained by Keener, who won the award for All-Time Training Wins in a Season at Remington Park this year. Bred by J. Garvan Kelly and J. Lloyd Yother, the three-year-old filly sold for $11,000 in the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

Finishing second was Wf Apolitical Bullet, who broke well and challenged late but was outdueled in the stretch. The gelding stopped the clock at 17.695 seconds with an 88 speed index under jockey Mario Delgado.

The three-year-old son of PHQ Apollitical Jess has three wins and earnings of $51,612 for owner Painted Faith Racing. Keener bred the sorrel gelding in partnership with Steve Wright in Oklahoma out of the Duke Kahanamoku mare Bullet Bonnie.

Rounding out the top three was Wf Jess Candy, also owned by Painted Faith Racing and trained by Keener. James Flores was aboard as the gelding who crossed the wire in in 17.765 seconds.

Wf Jess Candy has four wins and $133,729 in the bank, including last year’s Speedhorse P&A Futurity-G1 and Oklahoma P&A Juvenile. Bred by Steve Wright in Oklahoma, the three-year-old gelding is out of Sw Eye Candy by Country Chicks Man.  

Chief Iron Eagle, Shadowing Pt, Kuckle Buster and Jessys Hero round out the order of finish.

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