Kempton Remains Undefeated In Impressive Heritage Place Futurity Victory At Remington Park

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—JUNE 1, 2024–Kempton has been through fire this Remington Park season but somehow remained undefeated after three races to start his career, including Saturday's Grade 1, $1,081,820 Heritage Place Futurity.

In the 2-year-old American Quarter Horse's first race of his career, he was banged hard coming out of the gate and still had an eye-opening win, passing several horses to get to the front and win by a full length in a trial for the Oklahoma Futurity on March 9.

Trainer James "JJ" Gonzalez III's assistant Sebastian Gonzalez said the young colt by Kiss My Hocks had to be laid up until the Heritage Place Futurity trials to heal up from the minor injuries.

"He really deserved this after all he's been through," said Sebastian Gonzalez after the race. "I knew if he could get out and be clean after the first two jumps he would win."

"This horse has overcome all the adversities," said owner Mario Lozano-Cantu of Mission, Texas.

It was champion jockey James Flores' third stakes win of the Champions Night, the final evening of the season, but this one proved most lucrative.

Kempton, out of the Corona Cartel mare Charming Cartel, earned $454,364 for the victory and improved lifetime to three-for-three trips to the winner's circle and a bankroll of $468,986. He was bred in Texas by Tyler Graham and Namgis QHs.

A $30,000 repurchase at the TQHA Yearling Sale, Kempton is a half-brother to G2-placed and All American Derby(G1) finalist American Hussle. Champion Aged Mare Miss Kips Streakin is the second dam.

Flores knew from the start when Kempton won his training race at Remington Park on Feb. 21 that he was going to be a star.

"He has been a pro from the start," said Flores, who also won the Speedhorse Graham Paint and Appaloosa Stakes and the Speedhorse Graham Paint and Appaloosa Futurity on Saturday. "When he schooled, he showed tremendous promise. His demeanor is so good. He's the whole package. He showed he's a racehorse and I couldn't be more grateful."

Kempton, after being the fastest qualifier in the trials for the Heritage on May 10 with a time of :17.500, his second career win when he won by two full lengths. When he broke on top in the final, it was over. Flashing speed and increasing stride with each yard in the 350-yard race, Kempton blew his competition away by 1-1/4 lengths at the end.

He improved his time to :17.402 in the final for a 97 speed-index over the fast track.

Kempton was the 8-5 wagering favorite and paid $5.40 to win.

Firey Eagle (9-1 odds) checked in second, a head in front of third-place finisher Kiss My Maruska (9-2).

Firey Eagle, a $30,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale purchase for Dunn Ranch, earned $183,909 for finishing second. Jed H. Vane conditions the gelded son of leading first-crop sire Gold Heart Eagle V from the Corona Cartel mare Sera Fina. Sammy Valeriano bred the half-brother to Firecracker Futurity(G2) winner One Fine V in Texas.

Champion and All American Futurity(G1) winner Strawberry Silk is the third dam of Firey Eagle. Francisco Calderon was aboard the $204,102 earner.

TQHA Yearling Sale graduate Kiss My Maruska picked up $ 129,817 for his third-place finish. Heavy Hitters Racing Stables paid $88,000 for the son of Kiss My Hocks from the Favorite Cartel mare Highmaitenance. Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. named jockey Juan Pulido to ride the Grade 2-placed Texas-bred.

Second in the March 30th Louisiana Downs Futurity(G2), the Tyler and Naia Graham-bred runner has earned $209,265 in four starts.

The rest of the order of finish was Joose Boxx (7-1) in a dead-heat for fourth with Curls Magic Wagon (7-1), followed by Hott Temptation (32-1) sixth, Im Missmerized (12-1) seventh, A Line in the Sand (50-1) eighth, Rainbow of Diamonds (6-1) ninth and House of Lords (8-1) 10th.

It was the first win in the Heritage Place Futurity for all connections of Kempton.

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Remington Park has provided more than $349 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The 2024 racing schedule begins Thursday, March 7, as the American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season starts its 50-date season. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.