Valiant Painted Sign wins the Remington Park Derby on Saturday, April 19, 2025 with jockey Juan Pulido up. Valiant Painted Sign is conditioned by Josue Garcia.

© Dustin Orona Photography

by Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 23, 2025–With only two stakes races to go on the Remington Park Futurity program featuring Oklahoma-breds on Saturday, April 19, that included eight stakes total, jockey Juan Pulido had been shut out.

Nothing like the big goose egg to fire a guy up. Not only did Pulido break through, he swept the final two races on the card – the $185,420 Remington Park Derby for Oklahoma-bred 3-year-olds and the $160,670 Remington Park Oaks for 3-year-old Oklahoma-bred fillies.

Pulido, the second-leading rider this meet behind Francisco Calderon, completed his banner week by making trips to the winner’s circle with Valiant Painted Sign in the Derby and Apollitical Muse in the Oaks. Pulido also became the first jockey of the meet to win four races in one night when he pulled off that feat the night before, on Friday, April 18.

For Pulido’s efforts, he was named Lip Chip Jockey of the Week and Josue Garcia, who trains Valiant Painted Sign, won the honor of Lip Chip Trainer of the Week.

Pulido moved into second place in the standings with seven wins last week, two seconds and one third for an incredible 41 percent winning ratio. He went 7-for-17, while the closest rider in the top 10 was Cordarelton Benn’s 29 percent (4-for-14).

On the trainer’s side, Garcia had a near-perfect week, starting only four horses, but winning with three of them, including the Derby winner. His 75 percent winners and in-the-money horses was virtually untouchable by other conditioners.

Samuel Mendoza was closest in wins with 50 percent winners and James J. Gonzales III gave Garcia a run for the money with his 67 percent (four-of-six) horses running first, second or third.

Remington Park racing continues Thursday-Sunday, April 24-27. The first post time is 6 p.m. CDT nightly with the exception of Sunday when the first race goes off at 4 p.m.

Remington Park has provided more than $377 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 year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. The 2025 American Quarter Horse Season, features the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity on May 31, the final night of this meet. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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