Fl Rizzo has been set as the 7-5 morning line favorite in the $15,000 Walter Merrick Stakes at Fair Meadows on Thursday.

© Jack Coady Photography

By StallioneSearch

FAIR MEADOWS, OK—JULY 14, 2025—A field of seasoned distance runners will go to post in the $15,000 Walter Merrick Stakes for 3-year-old and up Quarter Horses at Fair Meadows on Thursday, July 18, contested over 870 yards.

The featured eighth race will run with a scheduled post time of 7:15 PM C(DT), with exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double, and Pick 3 wagering offered.

Leading the line-up is morning-line favorite Fl Rizzo (7-5) for owners Lindley and Julia Myers, trained by Matt Whitekiller, and to be ridden by Gonzalo Gutierrez.

A hombred in Washington by the Myers, this 5-year-old gelded son of champion Kvn Corona, out of Fly Reba Fly by Fly Jess Fly, has become a consistent force going around the hook.

Fl Rizzo captured the Grade 1 Remington Park Distance Championship this spring and comes off a game neck victory in an allowance at Fair Meadows on June 27, turning back We Call Him Joneson and Invincible Streak.

His record shows 5 wins and 4 seconds from 13 starts, with earnings nearing $96,000, including a sharp win in the G1 Remington Park Distance by over a length.

Second choice on the morning line is the well-traveled veteran We Call Him Joneson (2-1), owned and bred by Michael L. Gavin and conditioned by Gary K. Walker. The 8-year-old son of Furrtreeous, out of Chics Legacy by Gold Medal Jess, will have regular pilot Cordarelton J. Benn up.

We Call Him Joneson is proven over the distance with six lifetime wins at 870 yards and more than $105,000 in career earnings. This sorrel gelding scored an impressive gate-to-wire allowance win at Remington Park in May and narrowly missed by a nose last out to Fl Rizzo over this same trip. His gritty running style and experience at Fair Meadows make him a prime threat.

Rounding out the top contenders is Invincible Streak (3-1) for owner Paula Marchant, trained by Stacey L. Capps, and to be ridden by high-percentage rider Roman Cruz.

Bred in Kansas by Paul Newmaster, the 5-year-old gelding by Painted Dash out of Streaking Senorita by Ten Streaks has been knocking on the door at this level.

He finished a close third behind Fl Rizzo and We Call Him Joneson last out, and has run second or third in four of his last five starts, including a runner-up effort in the G2 Remington Park Distance Challenge this spring.

With four career wins and a knack for the distance, Invincible Streak looms dangerous if he can work out a clean rail trip.

Fans can expect a competitive renewal of the Walter Merrick Stakes, showcasing some of the best long-distance Quarter Horses in training at Fair Meadows.

Post time for the eighth race is set for 7:15 PM (CDT) on July 18.

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