Flying Nova 123 and jockey Rolando Raudales score a head victory in the $26,750 Belles Stakes at Fair Meadows on July 3.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

TULSA, OK–JULY 3, 2026–Flying Nova 123 dug in late to defeat Red Iron by a head in the $26,750 Belles Stakes at Fair Meadows on Friday night.

Ridden by Rolando Raudales, Flying Nova 123 covered 350 yards in :17.578 while earning a 99 speed index. The black filly dueled throughout before gaining the advantage in the final strides to secure her 10th career victory.

A homebred for Rick and Connie Dickson, the daughter of champion Flying Cowboy 123 out of the Mighty B Valiant mare Sr Shegone is trained by Jesus Ruiz.

Coming off a victory in the Golden Driller Stakes, Flying Nova 123 improved her record to 20-10-1-2 and boosted her bankroll to $142,719 with the $16,052 winner's share of the purse. Her record also includes victories in the Mystery Derby and the 2025 Golden Driller Stakes.

Flying Nova 123’s winning connections.
© Jack Coady Photography

Red Iron, under Roman Cruz, finished a game second after setting the pace and battling to the wire. Owned by Curt Crossland and trained by Buddy Clay, the 4-year-old mare was bred by Bobby D. Cox and sold for $55,000 at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

The daughter of champion Flying Cowboy 123 and the First Down Dash mare First To Celebrate is a half-sister to champion Wahoo ($166,425) and comes from one of Quarter Horse racing's most accomplished female families. First To Celebrate is a full sister to champion Brimmerton ($519,538), while the family also includes Broodmare of the Year Fitting Celebration, Dam of Distinction Havanah Goodtime, and champion Duponte ($921,237).

Red Iron's record now stands at 17-4-6-3 with earnings of $193,962. She remains in search of her first stakes victory after runner-up finishes in the Black Gold Fillies Futurity and Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge Stakes.

Sheza Goldigger rallied from a troubled start to finish third under Aram Martinez. Owned and bred by Alejandro Estrada and trained by Manuel Carrillo Jr., the daughter of KVN Corona out of the One Famous Eagle mare Jenuine Eagle V earned her fifth career third-place finish while increasing her earnings to $51,168. The filly entered the race off a finalist effort in the Jack Brooks Stakes (G3) and now owns a record of 13-1-3-5.

Duanes Gold Wagon finished fourth and was followed by Shy Kisser, Paint This Rose, Karmas A Chick, and Nay Borhood Nipsey. Pevs Giddy Up Go and Trademarque were scratched by the veterinarian.

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