Racing


All American Futurity Winner Apocalyptical Jess Wins By Daylight In $319,975 Remington Park Derby
Apocalyptical Jess (3) , ridden by Ricky Ramirez, is all alone at the finish of the Remington Park Derby in a dominating performance on Saturday.

© Dustin Orona Photography
All American Futurity Winner Apocalyptical Jess Wins By Daylight In $319,975 Remington Park Derby

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 20, 2019—He didn't dominate in his trial to qualify for the Restricted Grade 3, $319,975 Remington Park Derby, winning only by a neck, but Apocalyptical Jess looked every bit like the 2018 All American Futurity winner in a romp over his competition in Saturday night's final.

Last year, the 3-year-old gelded son of Apollitical Jess, out of the Holland Ease mare Cassandra Crest, won the $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico at 5-2 odds. So when Apocalyptical Jess came back from that victory and could do no better than sixth in the $1,050,000 Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park on Nov. 10, 2018, heads were shaking. He didn't get out of the gate cleanly in Texas and never had a chance.

Guess what. He's back, baby! This gelding broke swiftly from the gate and almost looked like he sprouted wings as he broke on top by open daylight and drew off to win by 1-3/4 lengths.

"It was the perfect trip," said winning jockey Ricky Ramirez. "He left out of there on front and when I asked him to run a little bit, he just exploded. I almost regretted asking him. From there I just sat on him and cruised home."

Apocalyptical Jess stopped the timer for the 400 yards in 19.766 seconds over a fast track and looked unbeatable for any up-and-comers the rest of the year. This definitely was the horse that won $1,540,140 in 2018 for owner Bill Robbins of San Jose, Calif.

"He is a once in a lifetime horse," said Robbins. "Just a dream for me. I'm privileged to be a part of this. I'm truly blessed."

Saturday night's victory put $115,990 more into owner Bill Robbins' pocket, who was on hand to see his champion win. At only 3 years old, Apocalyptical Jess has now earned $1,665,022 lifetime. His record improved to eight starts, five wins, one second and no thirds.

Trainer Trey Wood was thrilled with his winner's performances in Oklahoma City, but plans to ship him out to Ruidoso Downs next week.

"This horse speaks for himself," said Wood. "You don't have to say much yourself. He is definitely one of the best around. If he runs like he did tonight, he will be tough to beat the rest of the year."

Apocalyptical Jess earned a speed index of 89 for the win, beating runner-up Watah Flash, who was another half-length in front of third-place finisher Lynnder 16. Watah Flash finished only a neck back of Apocalyptical Jess in the trials, but could get no closer than the 1-3/4 lengths margin in this race. That's how easy the victory looked.

Apocalyptical Jess paid $3.40 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show as the heavy wagering favorite at 3-5 odds. He was bred in Oklahoma by Danny Joe Miller.

Runner-up Watah Flash is a half-brother to leading third-crop sire Lota Pyc. The son of champion and champion sire First Moonflash races for owner Lane and Sons Cattle Company and trainer John Stinebaugh.

Bred by Steve Holt, from the Shazoom mare Lotawatah, Watah Flash earned $49,296 to boost his career mar to $106,358.

Lynnder 16, last year's Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity(RG2) winner, finished half-a-length back in third for owners Tom Maher and Dick Tobin. Cristina Esqueda had the riding call for trainer Jason Olmstead aboard the daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Corona Cartel mare Tiny Corona Queen.

Bred by Jim and Marilyn Helzer, the $31,897 third-place payday boosted the filly's earnings total more than $518,500. Lynnder 16 was also third in the Ruidoso Juvenile Invitational and a finalist in the All American Futurity(G1) last year.

Completing the field were Temptingsecretfly, Miss Perrys Tres, Sr Shegone, Wilder Ways and Miss Eysa Senator. Charlies Fury and Separate Jets were both scratched.

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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 153,000 fans on Facebook and more than 9,900 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $216 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.