Flying Joy 1 (#9) wins the historic 84th edition of the Oklahoma Futurity, contested Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Remington Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—MARCH 22, 2025—Flying Joy 1 took advantage of the favorite Ocho Rojo's tardy break, flying to the front in the Grade 2, $419,735 Oklahoma Futurity and holding off the rest of the field for a lucrative trip to the winner's circle at Remington Park.

This was the 84th edition of the historic Oklahoma Futurity, first contested in 1947. It is the oldest futurity in the American Quarter Horse racing.

Going off at a generous 6-1 odds despite being the fastest qualifier on the second night of trials, March 8, veteran jockey Ricky Ramirez might have been the most surprised rider on the planet that Flying Joy 1 would win a race like this.

"I can't lie; at the ranch, she just seemed like another horse to me," Ramirez said from the winner's circle after the race. "Once we got her to Remington Park, she matured and figured out what her job was."

This Oklahoma-bred American Quarter Horse filly by leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123, out of the First Moonflash mare Kylee Joy, won her trial by a head on a sloppy, cold night. Her time that evening was :15.573 with a tailwind of 11 mph.

The night before, Ocho Rojo was the fastest at 300 yards in :15.437 with a tailwind of 13 mph, over a fast track. On Saturday night, Ocho Rojo balked at the start and never got into the mix, finishing last in the field of 10.

Trainer Trey Wood picked up his second Oklahoma Futurity triumph, having won with Revenant Moon in 2021. This was the first win for both Ramirez and owner David R. Rogers of Graham, Texas.

"All the credit for (Flying Joy 1) goes to my dad and my sisters," said Wood. "Dad picked her out at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale (2024) and broke her."

What a buy this was. Rogers bought her for $49,000. On Saturday night, she won $167,894 to improve her record to two-for-two and a bankroll of $173,786.

Trainer Al Watson, whose Ocho Rojo was late to the party when the gate opened, must have found some solace when his other qualifier, Britts Special Candy (9-1) got up for second, a half-length behind the winner and a neck in front of third-place finisher First Cash Boy (7-1). With the favorite out of the mix, that 50-cent trifecta was worth a hefty $343.50.

Flying Joy 1's running time was :15.661 on the fast track for a speed-index of 85.

Trainer Al Watson tapped jockey Jorge Garcia to ride runner-up Britts Special Candy for owner Jose Antonio Cano. The bay filly earned $71,355 for the effort to increase her earnings total to $77,247 after two starts. Britts Special Candy broke her maiden in the March 7 Oklahoma Futurity trials.

H & E Racing, Inc. bred the daughter of champion Jess Good Candy in Oklahoma from the stakes-producing Strawfly Special mare Britts Special Eyes. The second dam is the stakes-winning Mr Eye Opener mare Miss Racy Eyes.

Still winless in two starts, First Cash Boy added $46,171 to bankroll with a third-place finish. Martin Triana trains the Texas-bred son of Heza Fast As Cash for owner Tony Hernandez. Tony Espinoza bred the bay gelding from the Streak An Dash mare Royals.

Gracefulchik (8-1) finished fourth, followed by Coronados 123 (12-1) in fifth, Ruse Ticle Knockout (13-1) sixth, Lareda (15-1) seventh, Tarzans Tarzi Lo (7-2) eighth, Train Station Tours (16-1) ninth and Ocho Rojo (2-1).

Wood also qualified Lareda, ridden to her trial win on March 8 by Ramirez who had to make a choice for his Oklahoma Futurity final mount.

"I had a tough decision coming into this race between her and Trey's other finalist, Lareda, but it looks like I made the right choice."

Flying Joy 1 certainly has the bloodlines that shout success. Flying Cowboy 123 has become one of the most prominent sires among Quarter Horses, having thrown All American Futurity winner Cowboys Gun Z in 2023.

Remington Park racing continues Sunday, March 23, with a card that begins at 4pm-Central.

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Remington Park has provided more than $376 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the casino's opening 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 will begin on March 6. 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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