OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—MAY 28, 2018—The abundance of 2-year-old Oklahoma-breds entered for the FL Lady Bug Stakes allowed Remington Park to split the race into two divisions, each worth $69,750. Mary Janes Hero won the opening division while Saratoga Return was victorious in the second division.

FL Lady Bug Stakes – Division 1 to Mary Janes Hero

Owned by Jermaine Jackson of Wichita, Kan. and trained by Ramon Mendoza, Mary Janes Hero was ridden to victory by Jesus Salazar. The filly rallied for the lead then challenged Roseist for the final 100 yards before prevailing by a nose, handling the 330 yards in :16.947 over a fast track.

The win was the first in four attempts this season for Mary Janes Hero. The maiden-breaking victory in a stakes race was satisfying as her connections realized their efforts with the young filly paid off.

"We've just been working with her all year. She's been having some problems in the paddock but today she pulled it off for us," owner Jackson said. "We kept faith in her and she came out and gave us her all today."

Roseist settled for a close second while Ivory By Choice was a length behind the winner in third. HR Desirable, the wagering favorite at 4-5 odds, was pinched by rivals at the start, finishing last.

The first victory from four starts was worth $40,050 for Mary Janes Hero, who has now earned $46,740. She was bred in Oklahoma by Carol Smith and is a daughter of Valiant Hero from the Fit To Fly mare CR Isabella.

Runner-up Roseist races for owner/breeder Erin Chrisman Goings and is trained by Luz Chavira. Red hot jockey James Flores had the riding call aboard the Separatist gelding from the Sweet First Down mare Black Rosalita. He earned $22,350 to bring his earnings mark to $28,750 from three starts.

Coming off a second-place effort in the Laico Bird Stakes last month, Ivory By Choice increased his bankroll to more than $32,600 after banking $ $7,341 for third. Clinton Crawford conditions the Ivory James homebred for owner Brenda Reiswig. G.R. Carter, Jr. was aboard the brown gelding from the A Regal Choice mare Her Sweet Choice.

Away at longshot betting odds of 16-1, Mary Janes Hero paid $34.40 to win, $12.80 to place and $6.20 to show. Roseist paid $11.80 to place and $5.40 to show. Ivory By Choice paid $3.80 to show.

Dynamite Lips, Creedance, Easier To Lie, Cindys Easy Train and Hr Desirable completed the field. Hr Desirable went off as the post-time favorite but was pinched back at the start.

FL Lady Bug Stakes – Division 2 to Saratoga Return

The second division of the FL Lady Bug Stakes went to Saratoga Return. The gray filly jumped out of the starting gate sharply then fended off the staunch challenge of Shez A Cartel Chick to win by a neck. Saratoga Return crossed the 330-yard finish in :16.965.

Owned by Marili Mendez of Garland, Texas and trained by Rick Robinson, Saratoga Return was ridden by Edwuin Lujan. "She's an honest little filly and she tried her heart out from the start," Lujan noted. "She came out of there running good, the whole way."

Shez A Cartel Chick held second while Jess Proved Youwrong was just another neck behind in third. JS History was the betting favorite in division two at 2-1 odds, finishing fifth.

The win in division two of the FL Lady Bug Stakes, like that of Mary Janes Hero in division one, was also the first in the young career of Saratoga Return. She joined the ranks of winners in her fourth start of the season and made $40,050 to boost her overall earnings to $54,068. A daughter by High Rate Of Return from the Mr Eye Opener mare Johns Party Girl, Saratoga Return was bred in Oklahoma by Efrain Mendez.

A daughter of first-crop sire Coronado Cartel, second-place finisher Shez A Cartel Chick races for owner/breeder Double O Acres LLC and trainer Michelle Hurdle. Mario Delgado was aboard the bay filly from the County Chicks Man mare Chase This Chick. She earned $22,350 for the effort.

Jose Guzman and Rita Sosa's Jess Prove Youwrong earned $7,341 for finishing third. Luz Chavira conditions the Apollitical Jess filly out of Oh Strawfly Go by Strawfly Special. Daniel Torres was aboard the Rex and Sue Cox Oklahoma-bred.

Saratoga Return was at 4-1 odds in the betting and paid $10.40 to win, $8 to place and $4 to show. Shez A Cartel Chick paid $11 to place and $6.60 to show. Jess Proved Youwrong paid $5.80 to show.

Tyebane was fourth followed by a dead-heat for fifth by Js History and Karamia, Fly N Tell. Reggies Bailbond finished last. Miss Perrys Tres was scratched.

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FL Lady Bug was a prominent broodmare from the late 1940s for Hall of Fame owners and breeders Marvin and Lela Barnes of Ada, Okla.

The final three race dates of the 2018 American Quarter Horse Season at Remington Park take place Thursday thru Saturday, May 31-June 2. The first race on Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1 will begin at 6pm. The opening race on the final night, Saturday, June 2, starts at 5pm.

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Tracked by over 140,000 fans on Facebook and more than 9,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided over $192 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Remington Park, Oklahoma City's only Racetrack & Casino, is home to the $1,024,840 Heritage Place Futurity for Oklahoma-breds, on Saturday, June 2. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, Remington Park is in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.