OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 7, 2019—When last seen, the 2018 Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity winner Apocalyptical Jess was breaking dead last in the Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park on Nov. 10, 2018, running a disappointing sixth.

Trainer Trey Wood felt good about his barn superstar bouncing back in his debut as a 3-year-old in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby(RG3) trials on Sunday for owner Bill Robbins of San Jose, Calif.

Apocalyptical Jess, a son of Apollitical Jess, out of the Holland Ease mare Cassandra Crest, might have brought on some frowns on that cold November night in Grand Prairie, Texas, but his connections were all smiles Sunday. The obviously talented gelding posted the fastest time of 10 qualifiers, stopping the timer for 400 yards over a fast track in :19.640 seconds while earning a Speed Index of 92.

"We just really wanted to get this race in him, first of the year, and hope he didn't make any mistakes, because he's been known to do it," said Wood. "He's grown up a lot and he's a really sound horse. We're happy with him."

Jockey Ricky Ramirez was sixth from the gate aboard the champ, but soon took over the lead and held on by a neck against a pesky Watah Flash, just to his inside. Watah Flash finished second and his was the second-fastest time of all the trials on Sunday.

"You never really know if he's going to get away good," Wood said of the winner. "But when he gets away he's a tough horse to beat. Really hard to beat."

Apocalyptical Jess was sent off at 1-5 odds and paid $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 show.

Apocalyptical Jess was bred in Oklahoma by Danny Joe Miller. He won his fourth career race from seven attempts, scoring his first start at Remington Park.

Even though Apocalyptical Jess was qualified for the All American Futurity final by jockey Ricky Ramirez, winning his trial by 3-¼ lengths, Ramirez chose another horse in the big race. He likely regretted that decision, seeing this horse win the richest Quarter Horse race of the year.

However, Ricky Ramirez got back on him and won his trial for the Texas Classic Futurity final but still didn't pick him for the final. In any other world not choosing the All American winner after not taking him in that final would make some shake their heads, but this is Quarter Horse racing. Ramirez did it again, this time taking Flying Cowboy 123 over Apocalyptical Jess. As jaws dropped, Flying Cowboy 123 was the winner in Texas as the All American star ran sixth.

"Cowboy is a really nice horse," said Wood. "Ricky picked right. But he picked wrong a couple of times last summer. And I was happy for him (in the Texas Classic)."

Watah Flash, a son of champion sire First Moonflash, races for Lane and Sons Cattle Company and is conditioned by John Stinebaugh. Ridden by jockey Alfredo Triana, Jr., the tenacious 3-year-old scored the second fastest derby trial time of :19.677 seconds, a 91 speed index.

Bred in Oklahoma by Steve Holt, from the Shazoom mare Lotawatch, the sorrel colt has compiled an (8) 1-3-1 record and banked $57,062. He broke his maiden in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity(RG2) trials a year ago at Remington Park, qualifying for the $864,500 final. Watah Flash is a half-brother to leading third-crop sire Lota Pyc, sire of Lota Shakin Goin On, fastest qualifier on night 1 to the 2019 $895,210 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity(RG1).

Michelle Hurdle saddled Charlies Fury to the third fastest clocking of :19.680 seconds, also a 91 speed index, in the fourth trial (Race 6). A homebred for owner-breeders Tom and Kathleen McNally, the son of Furyofthwind drew off early to win by one-length. Out of the Take Off Jess mare Jess Charlena, Charlies Fury was second in the Black Gold 350 Championship Futurity at Will Rogers last fall. He has earned $88,162.

Another notable qualifier to the 2019 Remington Park Derby is last year's Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity(RG2) winner Lynnder 16. The daughter of Apollitical Jess jumped to a quick lead in the opening trial under jockey Cristian Esqueda. The Jason Olmstead trainee widened throughout winning by one-length to get the 8th fastest clocking of :19.866 seconds.

Racing for owners Tom Maher and Dick Tobin the sorrel filly entered the trails off an allowance win at Remington March 17, her first start since finishing a troubled eighth in the $3 million All American Futurity(G1) on Labor Day. Bred by Jim and Marilyn Helzer, from the Corona Cartel mare Tiny Corona Queen, Lynnder 16 has banked more than $486,000.

For a complete list of Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby(RG2) qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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Racing resumes Thursday with 11 races, the opener set for 6pm.

Friday night, April 12, Painted Turnpike, the all-time leading Paint racer by earnings, will return for the first time this year in the $20,000 Paul Harber Memorial at 350 yards for Paint and Appaloosas. Painted Turnpike has won 13 races at Remington Park, holding the record for the most wins in the Quarter Horse, Paint, Appaloosa season in Oklahoma City. The first race Friday is at 6pm with the Paul Harber Memorial set for race 10 at 10:01pm. All times are Central.

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Remington Park is always open for casino gaming. Simulcast horse racing is offered daily. Admission, parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park. Guests must be 18 or older in order to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino.

Tracked by more than 150,000 fans on Facebook and more than 9,800 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $215 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Home to the historic Grade 2 Oklahoma Futurity, to be run for the 78th time on March 23, 2019, Remington Park is located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, 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.