A Sweet Arthur (1) wins the SLM Big Daddy Stakes on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Remington Park. Jockey Juan Pulido was up, gaining his third victory of the night.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 17, 2026– Heavy rain and a 21mph tailwind hit Remington Park as the field loaded the gate for the Grade 2, $57,760 SLM Big Daddy Stakes on Friday night. A Sweet Arthur had a clean start and rallied to gain victory in the 550-yard race by a half-length.

Lightnin Strikes, the wagering favorite at 7-5 odds, did not have a clean break, flipping over and sitting down as the starting gates opened and the field of eight was dispatched. Since he caused his own problem, Lightnin Strikes was an official starter. With the favorite out of the race, the remaining seven battled for the prize.

A Sweet Arthur, owned by Samuel and Elizabeth Mendoza and trained by Samuel, broke well from his rail post-position as the one-horse. Under Juan Pulido, he built his energy up in the initial yards and found his top speed about halfway through the race. At that point, A Sweet Arthur burst to the front and put away those who found the lead early in Richrollnwagon, One Fabulous Boy and Ninja Cowboy.

A Sweet Arthur went off a longshot at 9-1 odds, finding the finish in :26.358 over the fast, but getting wet quickly, track for a speed index of 111. Ninja Cowboy (3-1 odds) fought for second with Richrollnwagon (15-1) holding on for third, another head behind the runner-up.

A 4-year-old gelding by A Sweet Jess from the First Down Dash broodmare Alltherightcurves, A Sweet Arthur was bred in Oklahoma by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses. The SLM Big Daddy score is the fourth career win from 12 attempts, to go along with two second and two third. The winner’s share of $33,900 boosted A Sweet Arthur to $79,055 in lifetime earnings.

The win on A Sweet Arthur was the third of the night for Pulido, the leading rider at this season at Remington Park with 42 wins.

This was the first victory in the SLM Big Daddy Stakes for all the connections of A Sweet Arthur. The race is named in honor of the two-time American Quarter Horse Association World Champion from the late 1990s. SLM Big Daddy was one of the most popular horses to ever compete at Remington Park, retiring with over a million dollars in career earnings.

Ninja Cowboy finished a strong second, battling throughout before coming up just a half-length short while earning a 109 speed index. Ridden by Randy Vega for owner Manuel Montelongo and trainer Joaquin Lopez, the gelding is sired by champion Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the Furrtreeous mare Cherry Chick, a half-sister to stakes winners Roto Rooster ($259,728) and Black Oak Special ($132,204). Bred by Richard Joneson, he now owns a record of 9-2-0-2 with earnings of $42,618. Still seeking his first stakes victory, Ninja Cowboy was a finalist in the Grade 3 Easy Jet Stakes at Remington Park in 2025.

Richrollnwagon finished third, just another head back after dueling throughout the 550-yard event. Ridden by Jonathan Dominguez for owner and trainer Elferrelaureano Evez Broom, the gelding is bred by Vickie Wyman and is sired by graded stakes sire Prized Wagon out of the Best Advice mare VW Lucky Advice. His dam was a stakes finalist in both the Rocky Heinzig Stakes and Fair Meadows Belles Stakes. Richrollnwagon now has a record of 19-5-2-3 with earnings of $78,013. He remains in search of his first stakes win, with a runner-up finish in last year’s Rocky Heinzig Stakes and a finalist effort in the Grade 2 Boyd Morris Memorial highlighting his record.

The remaining order of finish in the SLM Big Daddy Stakes included One Fabulous Boy (4-1) fourth, Presido Pete (21-1) fifth, Nine One Won (11-1) sixth and Relentless Purrsuit (7-1) seventh. Lightnin Strikes did not finish.

The $971,955 Remington Park Futurity headlines a 12-race program, with eight stakes races, Saturday, April 18 at Remington Park. The first race is set for 6pm-Central.

About Remington Park
Remington Park has provided more than $410 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. The 2026 Remington Park Futurity, the richest race of the season for Oklahoma-breds, takes place on Saturday, April 18. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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