Toastin Heros powers past Empressum to capture the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes, giving Valiant Hero another marquee win in a standout 2026 campaign.

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By Lann Noguera, StallioneSearch

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 21, 2026–Valiant Hero sired another Grade 1-caliber performance Saturday night at Remington Park by Toastin Heros, who delivered a statement win in the $100,000 Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes, taking down AQHA World Champion Empressum in a hard-fought 400-yard showdown for Oklahoma-breds.

The victory added to an already strong season for Toastin Heros, who earlier captured the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park on February 7 for his first Grade 1 score of the year.

Facing one of the sport’s most accomplished runners, Toastin Heros stepped up. Empressum entered the race as a Champion of Champions winner with more than $2.5 million in earnings and an unblemished record at Remington Park. Still, Toastin Heros was well-supported at 2-1 and proved ready for the challenge.

Breaking from the outside post, the 4-year-old gelding overcame a slight stutter at the break before quickly finding his stride. Under jockey Jacob Enriquez, he kept a clean path and surged late to win by three-quarters of a length. Empressum finished second, just ahead of Hooked N Gone.

Trained by Clint Crawford, Toastin Heros continues to develop into a serious older horse, now winning three of his last four stakes appearances and building momentum with each start. The effort carried added significance for owner-breeder Gene Cox, who developed the gelding from a family cultivated over generations.

Toastin Heros entered the race already established as a stakes performer, winning the last three of four stakes starts. He won the La Fiesta Derby in 2025 and was also a finalist in the Remington Park Derby (G1), Heritage Place Derby (G2) and West Texas Derby (G3). The $57,600 winner’s share from Saturday night increased his lifetime earnings to $402,247 and improved his career record to eight wins from 17 starts.

Valiant Hero is the sire of five millionaires, including Feature Hero SI 99 ($1,418,960, All American Derby-G1), Houdini SI 105 ($1,223,198, Rainbow Derby-G1), Ima Fearless Hero SI 92 ($1,062,435, Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity-G1), First Valiant Sign SI 99 ($1,053,844, Ruidoso Futurity-G1, Texas Classic Derby-G1) and Sam Crow SI 103 ($1,013,025, Mr. Jet Moore Stakes-G2).

With a multiple Grade 1 winner already on the board for 2026, Valiant Hero’s influence is once again prominent among the sport’s top leading sires.

The recent stakes wins have boosted Valiant Hero’s lifetime earnings to over $32.5 million with 146 black type horses (17%) and nearly $37,000 average per starter.

For more information on Valiant Hero or breeding contracts, contact Monty McNair, Ranch Manager, at 405-282-3437 or email ranchinfo@lazye.com. Additional details are available at www.lazyeranch.com.

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