Outtasyght edges to the win ahead of Big Bang Rocket (white blinkers, blue shadow roll) to win the Grade 2 Eastex Stakes at Remington Park on Saturday, March 14.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 14, 2026– Heads were bobbing as Outtasyght and Big Bang Rocket raced to the wire in the Grade 2, $51,360 Eastex Stakes on Saturday night at Remington Park. When these two celestially named horses hit the wire, it was the former that had his head in front as the victor.

It was Outtasyght’s first stakes win since capturing a $97,500 final at Los Alamitos in California on Feb. 23, 2025, a little more than a year ago. As hard as he fought Saturday night, showing a huge heart, it’s hard to believe it’s been that long between black-type wins.

“I just hung on,” said winning jockey Francisco Calderon. “It was my first time on this horse in an official race, but I knew him a little bit. I help break horses for the Dunns at the ranch (in Wynnewood, Okla.). Tonight, I could feel him getting a little tired on me at the end, but luckily we had enough.”

Outtasyght was sent off as the 2-1 second favorite in the race and outlasted 25-1 longshot Big Bang Rocket for the big bang bucks. The runner-up was another neck ahead of third-place finisher Lightnin Strikes (10-1). The betting favorite in the race, the only mare to take on the boys, Js Freightrain (4-5), could only manage a fourth-place finish.

Outtasyght’s time for the 350 yards was :17.741 over a fast track, earning an 85 speed index for trainer Jed Vane and owner Dunn Ranch.

“He has a lot of talent,” said Vane. “Calderon did a great job.”

Moving forward with this 4-year-old gray Texas-bred gelding, Vane was a bit vague.

“I’ll point him to the big races,” he said, without being specific.

Outtasyght is a son of prolific sire Apollitical Jess, from the Mr Eye Opener mare Eye Popping. He was bred by Bobby D. Cox and was purchased at the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale of 2023 for $320,000. He earned $28,500 on Saturday night and improved his lifetime marks to 12 starts, five wins, one second and two thirds for a bankroll of $250,048.

$200,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate Big Bang Rocket and jockey Edwin Escobedo dueled throughout to finish in second. The gelding now has a race record of 14-3-0-2 and earnings of $100,619. Big Bang Rocket wrapped up his 2025 season as a finalist in the Texas Classic Derby (G1). Bred by McColee Land & Livestock LLC, he is sired by all time leading sire Apollitical Jess and is out of the First Down Dash mare Budder Think Twice, a graded stakes placed runner. Justin Joiner trains the gelding for owner Joshua Owens.

Lightnin Strike and jockey Roman Cruz were outdueled and finished in third. A homebred for Darrell Edwards, the gelding is trained by Dee Keener. His record now stands at 7-5-0-0 with earnings of $61,863. Prior to this race, he won five consecutive races. Lightnin Strike is by graded stakes sire Prized Wagon and is out of the Jess Zoomin mare Sheza Just Zoomin.  

The rest of the order of finish past the top four was Presido Pete (67-1) fifth, Relentless Rocket (24-1) sixth, Eagle On a June Bug (8-1) seventh, Mr Boombastic (54-1) eighth, Nine One Won (30-1) ninth and Relentless Purrsuit (25-1) 10th.

Outtasyght paid $6.60 to win, $3.80 to place and $3.20 to show.

Remington Park racing continues Sunday, March 15 with a first post time of 4 p.m.-Central.

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