58 two-year-olds are set to compete across six trial heats on Thursday, vying for a spot in the $175,000 Grade 1 Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 1, 2026—The 2026 American Paint Horse Association season kicks off at Remington Park on Thursday with an exciting ten-race card. The highlight of the evening will be six trial heats for the estimated $175,000 Grade 1 Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity.

A total of fifty-eight juveniles will race down the Oklahoma City straightaway, each vying for a coveted spot in the finale scheduled for March 21st. The evening will also feature the $35,000 Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Juvenile, showcasing a marquee Oklahoma-Bred Night.

Two powerhouse conditioners once again dominate the entry box. Dee Keener, a three-time Remington Park champion trainer who holds the record for most money earned and all-time wins as an APHA trainer, will saddle twenty runners across the six heats. Close behind him in the APHA standings is Matt Whitekiller, sending out sixteen starters of his own. For years, the Keener and Whitekiller barns have defined excellence in the Paint and Appaloosa ranks, and Thursday night appears no different.

Keener’s top contender may surface in race five, the second trial heat, where Dw Showin D Off breaks from the rail. The dual-registered gelding is by Uncle D out of Shez Showin Off by Sf Royal Quick Flash and was bred by his owner, Danny J. Watkins.

In schooling company, Dw Showin D Off posted one of the top times of the session, finishing second while running into a reported sixteen-mile-per-hour headwind and doing so without urging. Champion APHA jockey Roman Cruz has the call from post one, adding further intrigue to the promising gelding’s debut under the lights.

Earlier on the card in race four, the first trial heat, Keener unveils Iam George III as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The dual-registered colt is sired by Apollitical Jess out of Royally Sandra by Royal Quick Dash and was bred in Texas by Jorge Haddad.

Owned by 918 Bloodstock, Iam George III turned heads during preparatory races, firing a bullet workout on February 12th after recording the second-fastest on February 8th. Roman Cruz will once again be in the irons, guiding the colt from post two.

Keener will also be well represented in race eight with Buckle Bunny 123, listed at 5-2 morning-line odds. The filly impressed in her February 12th schooling race, scoring with authority. She is sired by Flying Cowboy 123 out of Rp Reckless Wire, the highest money-earning APHA mare to date.

Bred in Oklahoma by owner Jeff Adams, Buckle Bunny 123 will be piloted by Jesus R. Ayala. Adding further pedigree intrigue, her dam, Rp Reckless Wire, is a full sister to the dam of Rp Miss Wiredreckless, who is scheduled to compete earlier on the card in race five as program number eight, giving fans a compelling family storyline to follow.

Whitekiller counters with strength in the ninth and final trial heat, where Big Rotney enters as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. The gelding stamped himself as a major player during training races, posting the fastest time of the day until the Quarter Horse finals heat later surpassed it. He drew off by one and a half lengths in his prep effort.

Sired by Painted Turnpike out of Crm Country Girl by Crm Livewire, Big Rotney was bred by Whitekiller himself and competes for Apple R Racing. Cody Smith is named to ride as the barn looks to secure a finals berth.

With nationally recognized sires, elite-producing mares, and the sport’s most accomplished APHA conditioners represented across the six heats, Thursday night’s Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity trials promise fireworks from start to finish. These fifty-eight juveniles will not only launch the Remington Park meet but also begin their pursuit of championship glory on March 21st under the bright lights at Remington Park.

The Remington Park races can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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