West Texas Royalty, under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, won the $217,910 Remington Park Derby(RG1) on Saturday.

© Leann Noguera / StallioneSearch

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 18, 2026–West Texas Royalty delivered a dramatic, head-bobbing finish to capture Saturday night’s $217,910 Remington Park Derby(RG1), prevailing by a head in a blanket finish among the top three Oklahoma-bred 3-year-olds at 400 yards.

Clocked in 19.578 seconds, a 95 speed index over a fast track, the sorrel gelding surged late under champion jockey Francisco Calderon to edge favored Jc Speeding, with Coronados 123 just another neck back in third. The narrow margins—a head, a neck, and a nose separating the top trio—underscored the intensity of the stretch duel.

Bred, owned, and campaigned by Kevin Hogan, West Texas Royalty is a 3-year-old son of leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Tres of Royalty, by Tres Seis. Trained by Josue Garcia, the gelding earned $87,164 for the victory from the total purse of $217,910.

Runner-up Jc Speeding, a colt by leading third-crop sire Chilitos out of High Speed Kitty (by High Rate of Return), races for Planefun LLC and is trained by Dee Keener with James Flores aboard. A $13,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, he earned $37,045 for his effort.

Third-place finisher Coronados 123, by Flying Cowboy 123 out of Coronados Lady (by Coronado Cartel), is owned and bred by Angelica Gil, trained by Hernesto Ramirez, and ridden by Mario Delgado, picking up $23,970.

In the running, West Texas Royalty broke well and quickly positioned himself just off the early leaders before unleashing a determined late surge to win a desperate bob at the wire.

Jc Speeding battled gamely throughout and was narrowly denied, while Coronados 123 dueled between rivals and was edged in a photo for second.

Js Fdd finished fourth, followed by Jay W, Cyber Command III, Jamies Sin Tacha, Mm Rampage, Forever Midnight, and Wf Tuff as Diamonds.

The victory marked a significant score for West Texas Royalty, who added the Derby crown, his first stakes victory, to his résumé.

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