Will Rogers Downs Opens 2026 Quarter Horse Meet Monday With Nine Mystery Futurity Trials

Will Rogers Downs will kick off its 2026 Fall Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa Meet on Monday, September 14, with an opening-day program featuring nine trials for the $75,000-added Mystery Futurity (RG2).

First post for Monday's opening-day card is set for 12 noon (CDT).

A total of 78 Oklahoma-bred 2-year-olds are entered across the nine 350-yard Mystery Futurity trials, which will comprise the first nine races on the card. The ten fastest qualifiers will advance to the $175,000-estimated Mystery Futurity (RG2) final on Monday, September 28.

Among the youngsters entered Monday are several runners by some of the industry's leading sires, including Flying Cowboy 123, Apollitical Jess, Favorite Cartel, Kiss My Hocks, One Valiant Hero, Uncle D, Chilitos, Pyc Paint Your Wagon, Tres Seis, Jess Good Candy and Hes Relentless.

The opening trial includes Sin Tacha Gotta Go, a Flying Cowboy 123 filly trained by Clinton Crawford, while the second trial features Cyber Spy, a gelding by Hes Relentless for trainer Ramiro Zuazo.

Cowboy Code 918, another son of Flying Cowboy 123, will compete in the eighth trial for trainer Clinton Crawford. The ninth and final trial includes Kiss My Hocks filly Kiss My Special, trained by Clint Crawford, and Flying Cowboy 123 gelding Flynastrysprincess, trained by Eddie Willis.

Monday's card launches a Will Rogers Downs meet that has received significant purse increases for 2026. Quarter Horse open allowance purses have increased to $24,500, with N2L allowance races at $19,200 and maiden races at $18,500. Paint and Appaloosa purses have also been increased.

Will Rogers Downs has also introduced a $240 First Time Starter Bonus for every horse making its career debut in an overnight race during the meet. The bonus is paid directly to the owner's horsemen's account and is designed in part to help offset hair-testing costs.

The meet, originally scheduled to begin September 7, was moved to September 14 and is scheduled to continue through November 17. Racing will initially be conducted Mondays and Tuesdays before expanding to Sundays through Tuesdays later in the season.

The stakes action continues immediately on Tuesday, September 15, when Will Rogers Downs hosts trials for the $30,000-added AQHA Derby Challenge, $30,000-added AQHA Juvenile Challenge, $20,000-added AQHA Distaff Challenge (G3) and $20,000-added AQHA Distance Challenge (G2).

Additional major events during the fall include the Pot O' Gold Futurity (G1), Cricket Bars Futurity (G1), Will Rogers Oaks, Black Gold Futurity Championship (RG2), Black Gold Fillies Futurity Championship (RG2), Mystery Derby and Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Championship Futurity (G1).

For additional racing information, visit the Will Rogers Downs section of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association website.

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