Cowboy Blue Z, ridden by Francisco Calderon, wins the 219,635 Oklahoma Derby [G3] in a photo finish at Remington Park on Saturday.

© Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 22, 2025–Heavy favorite Cowboy Blue Z broke third from the gates and ran an arduous duel for a photo-finish victory in the $219,635 Oklahoma Derby [G3] at Remington Park.

Piloted by Francisco Calderon, Cowboy Blue Z broke in from the outside at the final call, winning the nod by a nose over Baby Ruth. The post-time favorite clocked an 89-speed index against a 13 mph wind in 17.647 seconds, which paid $3.00 for the win.

Calderon said, “He left the gate running. I was in front three-quarters of the race. The last 50 yards, the one (Baby Ruth) had me beat, then I went right, and Cowboy Blue Z bared down again. We are blessed he got it done for us.”

Jockey Edwin Escobedo was aboard Baby Ruth for her second-place finish. The Texas-bred filly ran in sync with Cowboy Blue Z but was nosed out at the wire. Ridden by Ali Rivera, Apolitical Time followed the duo in a half-length back for third.

Trainer Mike Joiner saddled Cowboy Blue Z for owners West Texas Racing Partners, who purchased him for $120,000 in the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Joiner commented, “He really is a nice colt, a pleasure to train. He’s such a little professional and makes my job easy.”

Cowboy Blue Z won his trial heat to the Oklahoma Derby with the fastest qualifying time. The derby final was his first stakes victory, and the $87,854 payday boosted his lifetime earnings to $188,143.

The son of Flying Cowboy 123 has four wins from nine starts and was a finalist in the Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity and Grade 2 Oklahoma Futurity last year.

“He had a couple of little issues after last year's Oklahoma Futurity, so we didn’t run him much. We waited until he healed, then ran him in the Texas Classic. He’s a super little horse, and he just can’t run really far. 350 yards is about as far as he can run, I think,” continued Joiner.

Cowboy Blue Z’s next race will be the Heritage Place Derby trials in May.

Slash Z Quarter Horses bred Cowboy Blue Z in Texas out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Indescribaly Blue, who was a Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity finalist.

Trainer Luis Villafranco conditioned runner-up Baby Ruth for owner Mi Serenity. Bobby Simmons bred the $40,000 Heritage Place Yearling sale graduate out of Jess A Cartel by Corona Cartel. She has a 2-2-0 race record from seven starts.

Third-place finisher Apolitical Time has yet to break his maiden from nine starts. The son of leading sire Apollitical Jess has $32,337 in total earnings.

Flag Ranch bred the $87,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in Oklahoma out of Breitling Time by Fishers Dash. Raul Ramirez trains Apolitical Time for owner Jimenas Ranch.

Ajs Flashnthachicks, Nine One won, Apollitical Muse, Tempt Me Sass, Fairlea Flyin, Rocker S, and Beast N Me complete the order of finish.

About Remington Park
Remington Park has provided more than $376 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 historic 84th edition of the Oklahoma Futurity on Saturday, March 22. 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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