Flying Nova 123 (#5), under jockey Roman Cruz, gets up to win her second consecutive Golden Driller Stakes at Fair Meadows Race Course on Saturday night.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

TULSA, OK–JUNE 13, 2026–Flying Nova 123 unleashed a powerful late surge to defeat Corona Relentless by a neck in Saturday night's $27,500 Golden Driller Stakes at Fair Meadows Race Course, covering 350 yards in 17.727 while earning a 95 speed index over a fast track.

The 4-year-old black filly by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Sr Shegone, by Mighty B Valiant, was bred in Oklahoma by her owners, Rick or Connie Dickson.

The winning connections of Flying Nova 123 accept the Golden Driller Stakes trophy at Fair Meadows Race Course. © Jack Coady Photography

Trained by Jesus Ruiz and ridden by Roman Cruz, Flying Nova 123 hopped at the start before mounting a steady rally and producing a strong finish to secure the stakes victory. The winner earned $16,250 and increased her career bankroll with the lucrative score.

It was the second consecutive win for the filly in the Golden Driller Stakes and pushed her earnings total to $126,667.

Corona Relentless, an 8-year-old multiple stakes winning mare by leading sire Hes Relentless out of Coronas Concierge, by Corona Cartel, broke sharply and led most of the way before being caught late to finish second, a neck behind the winner.

Owned by Roberto Zuniga-Rios, trained by Marla Vargas, and ridden by Jasten Pedraza, the Louisiana-bred mare earned $5,000 for her runner-up effort. Bred by Eddie Cramer and Tom or Bill Maher, Corona Relentless has earned $244,547.

Invasive finished another nose behind Corona Relentless to take third. The 4-year-old bay gelding by leading sire Favorite Cartel out of Dont Pass Bar, by A Regal Choice, races for Equestix Consulting LLC and is trained by Luz Chavira.

Cordarelton Benn was aboard the California-bred runner, who was bred by Steve D. Burns, DVM. Also a stakes winner, Invasive pressed the pace throughout before being outkicked late. The third-place finish was worth $2,750 and boosted his earnings mark to $147,696

Paint This Rose finished fourth, Fire N Speed completed the field in fifth after bobbling at the start and never threatening the leaders. The official order of finish was Flying Nova 123, Corona Relentless, Invasive, Paint This Rose, and Fire N Speed.

The Golden Driller Stakes was contested for Quarter Horses three years old and older at a distance of 350 yards and offered a total purse of $27,500, including Oklahoma Bred Program money.

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