StallioneSearch.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK– JUNE 1, 2024–Trainer Dee Keener gets the Jack Brooks Leading Trainer award for the second consecutive year at Remington Park after scoring his 37th victory this season in race 5 with Wf Jess Candy. In fact, he conditioned the top four finalists in the $230,475 Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity [G1] on Saturday.

t was the third year in a row a Keener horse has won this race. Not only has Keener dominated this race lately, he also has won it six times overall. It had to be even more special for Keener this year as horses he trains ran first-second-third-and-fourth in the race. He qualified five into this final this year.

After setting the fastest time to beat in the trials, Wf Jess Candy returned to the finals as one of the top two favorites, which included post-time favorite and runner-up Vesper Martini.

Three-time AQHA champion jockey James Flores was aboard Wf Jess Candy and led him from wire to wire for a 3/4-length victory over Vesper Martini. The son of APHA leading freshman sire PHQ Apollitical Jess clocked an 88 speed index in :17.719 seconds. The first-place finish paid $7.80 to win on 7/2 odds.

"She had a good clean break. She waited patiently inside the gate, had a little brush with the two horse but had a great run," said Flores.

Wf Jess Candy tops the charts as leading APHA money earner with his third career victory in the industry's richest Paint and Appaloosa race, upping his career earnings to $114,224 after cashing in the $87,581 winner's share of the purse.

Tonight's 350-yard victory was the second stakes win for Wf Jess Candy, who won the Oklahoma P&A Juvenile at Remington Park in March. He was also a finalist in the April PSBA American Paint Classic Stakes.

Another special aspect of Keener’s win this year had to be getting it done for his wife, Wendy Ingersoll, who won the race as owner of Wf Jess Candy with Lorie Wright for Painted Faith Racing of Inola, Okla. Keener bred Wf Jess Candy in partnership with Steve Wright in Oklahoma out of the Country Chicks Man mare Sw Eye Candy.

Everyone attended tonight's race, including the Wrights, who stand PHQ Apollitical Jess. Wendy Keener said, "We are happy he won, but we are really happy with his sire, PHQ Apollitical Jess. It's huge for all of us involved; we just couldn't ask for anything more right now."

Favored to win, Vesper Martini was slow out of the gates but fired up the lane for her second-place finish under the guidance of Ali Rivera. The daughter of #2 leading APHA sire Painted Turnpike has lit the board four of five starts with two career wins and a fifth-place finish in the Oklahoma P&A Futurity [G1].

The Oklahoma-bred filly has earned $53,971 for owner 918 Bloodstock. J Garvan Kelly and Lloyd Yother bred Vesper Martini out of the Red Storm Cat mare Martinis N Bikinis.

Ridden by Roman Cruz, Og Nikki Sixx made a bold bid for the wire but was outkicked by a neck for third. The son of leading APHA sire CRM Livewire broke his maiden in his first of five starts but has yet to win again.

Also owned by 918 Bloodstock, Og Nikki Sixx placed fifth in the Oklahoma P&A Futurity [G1] and has $39,494 in earnings. He was bred by Vela Marlene in Oklahoma out of Spittin Jessie by Spit Curl Jess.

Pfr Road Rage, Painted To Be Quick, Cowboy On The Fly, Straightaway Turnpike, Cowgirl Chaos, Mh Cold Nights and Baileys N Blood complete the order of finish.

**************************

About Remington Park
Remington Park has provided more than $349 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 simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The Remington Park 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1 with the biggest racing program of the season. The Champions Night boasts total purses in excess of $2,400,000. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.