Juan Pulido pilots Rj Having Fun to his 1/2-length victory in the $169,175 Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby [RG1] on Monday.

© Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK– APRIL 29, 2024–The contenders in the $169,175 Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby [RG1] on Monday afternoon were all geldings. The post-time favorite Rj Having Fun didn't disappoint with his 1/2-length win over Just A Salty Candy.

Jockey Juan Pulido got the call aboard Rj Having Fun. The duo broke late in seventh from the one hole. But by the second stretch, they had a big charge for the lead and Pulido guided him to the 400-yard finish line in :19.879 seconds clocking an 89 speed index. The wagering favorite paid $6.20 to win on 11/10 odds.

Owned and trained by Toby Keeton, Rj Having Fun has lit the board in every out with five career wins from 10 starts, including the Dash For Cash Futurity [G2] and Rainbow Juvenile Stakes from last year. Today's victory was the first stakes win for 2024 and his lifetime earnings are now $334,336 after cashing in the $67,670 winner's check.

"He hasn't been leading lately and he had to come from behind. I was a little scared," said Keeton who was high-fiving everyone in sight after the race. "But, this horse never lets me down. In the finals he always comes back and does his job."

When asked where he's going next, Keeton replied, "He will run in the Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso and maybe there's an Okie-bred stakes at the end of the Remington meet, we might see him there."

Rj Having Fun is a $40,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. Rito Sosa bred the three-year-old gelding out of Snow Clouds by This Snow Is Royal. He is by multiple stakes sire Pyc Fun N Fancy, who also sired last year's Remington Park Futurity [RG1] winner Pyc Avenue.

Jess A Salty Candy, with Ali Rivera in the irons, ran sharp but couldn't fend off Rj Having Fun placing second by a neck over Apollitical Whiplash. The three-time winner from 10 starts was undefeated for 2024 with two wins at Remington Park earlier this season.

The $28,760 share of the purse for place increased his earnings to $70,251.Trainer John Stinebaugh saddled the son of champion sire Jess Good Candy for owners Stacy Barr and Carol Addison.

Breeder PV Quarter Horse Farms LLC sold Jess A Salty Candy for $50,000 in the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. He is out of This Candys Salty by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Apollitical Whiplash, piloted by Roman Cruz, gets his first blacktype with a third place finish in the derby. The son of world champion sire Apollitical Jess broke his maiden last year in the Oklahoma Derby trials, returning for tenth in the finals, but has yet to win again from nine starts.

Greg Cullum bred Apolitical Whiplash out of the Fishers Dash mare Sixes Fisher. Trainer Jesus Ruben Ruiz conditions the sorrel gelding for owner Godfather Racing.

Lucky Luke, Cardiac Cowboy, Js Eyema Texas Man, Bv Trust In You and Midnight Politics complete the order of finish.

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About Remington Park
Remington Park has provided more than $347 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 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 $2,000,000, led by the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity. 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.