Red Iron has been set as the 3-1 morning line favorite in Saturday's 82,119 Speedhorse Quarter Horse Derby at Fair Meadows.

© Jack Coady Photography

By StallioneSearch

TULSA, OK–JULY 16, 2025–A competitive field of ten three-year-old Quarter Horses will contest the $82,119 Speedhorse Quarter Horse Derby at Fair Meadows on Saturday, July 19, going 350 yards as Race 7, with a scheduled post at 8:30 PM (CDT).

The final brings together a talented cast of horses that were nominated and qualified for this prestigious event.

Leading the field is #2 Red Iron (3-1), the morning line favorite for owner Curt Crossland. Trained by Dee Keener, the Flying Cowboy 123 filly will be ridden by Roman Cruz.

Bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, Red Iron is out of First to Celebrate by First Down Dash and was a $55,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale purchase.

A four-time winner from eleven starts, she comes in off a runner-up finish by a head in her trial at Fair Meadows on July 3. She also won a 300-yard allowance at Remington Park this spring and was a game second in the $536,000 Black Gold Futurity last fall. She boasts a best speed index of 106 and has earned more than $161,000 in her career.

Next in line is #1 Ima Fancy Eye Opener (7-2), owned by Shania Cox and Terry Dale Cox and trained by Rhonda Levon Valdivia. Jockey Bryan Candanosa will be aboard this Oklahoma-bred gelding by Im A Fancy Pyc out of Lil Miss Eye Opener by Mr Eye Opener, a homebred.

A multiple stakes winner with earnings of $254,540, Ima Fancy Eye Opener has won eight of thirteen lifetime, including the Mr Master Bug Stakes (RG3) at Remington Park in April. He was a close second in his Derby trial on July 3 and finished third earlier this season in the Jack Brooks Stakes (RG3).

The final promises a strong betting race with these top contenders all showing consistent form and competitive numbers. The purse breakdown will award $31,205 to the winner, with the remaining shares paid through tenth place.

Fans can wager on the card, which features exotic options such as the $2 Exacta, $0.50 Trifecta, and $0.10 Superfecta, as well as multi-race wagers like the Daily Double and Pick 3.

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