Milton Broadnax with his Oklahoma Futurity hopeful Liberty for Jess at Remington Park.

© Richard Linihan / Remington Park

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—MARCH 22, 2024—Trainer Milton Broadnax, 75, may be the most patient man on the face of the earth, never winning a race in 55 tries before qualifying Liberty for Jess for the finals of the Grade 2, $502,385 Oklahoma Futurity to be run Saturday night at Remington Park.

It will be the 83rd edition of the longest-running futurity in American Quarter Horse racing. Started in 1947, the Oklahoma Futurity has been conducted at Remington Park since 2006.

Liberty for Jess, a 2-year-old Quarter Horse colt by Dash Master Jess, out of the Rushago mare Liberty Rush, lit up the toteboard for Broadnax in his trial at 21-1 odds. Broadnax, who basically trains racehorses in his spare time, is now 1-for-56 after making his first trip to the winner’s circle since he began officially training Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas and Thoroughbreds in 2011.

He actually has had a racing license since pari-mutuel racing started in Oklahoma in the mid-1980s, but he didn’t take the lead reins until 2011, according to Equibase statistics.

Liberty for Jess, who will be ridden by last year’s top rider at Remington Park, Edwin Escobedo, has been made 20-1 in the morning line. The 5-2 favorite is Miss Perrys Cowgirl, the second-fastest qualifier on the second night of trials.

Asked if he ever got tired of waiting for a successful horse all those years, Broadnax, who makes his home in Spencer, Okla., stood strong in his faith.

"I knew eventually the good Lord was going to bless me with one," Broadnax said. "At my age, I’ve been around the world several times. I just believe it’s in the man upstairs hands."

Liberty for Jess broke from the outside post in his trial and once again he will have no one to his outside from the 10-hole.

Broadnax said he knew from the start that Liberty for Jess was going to be a fast one.

"One of my partners told me when (the colt) was less than 20 minutes old that he was," said Broadnax. "He said, ‘now there’s a racehorse."

Growing up, Broadnax was a third-generation horseman.

"My grandfather was a mule skinner, a horse trader," he said, "around Checotah, Okla. My uncle (Milton) was a calf roper. They got me started on a horse when I was 6 months old."

For a living, Broadnax rode the rodeo in his formative years.

"I rodeoed from Little Britches up to the PRCA," he said. "I did some breakaway calf roping, and then went to riding bareback horses and bulls. Never had a broken bone the whole time. I did well enough to make a living at it."

He then went on to work for the federal government full-time and owned a feed store.

Jess for Liberty won $5,784 for winning his trial. In the previous 13 years, Broadnax’s top horse had earned $7,523 and that was Liberty for Jess’ dam (mom) Liberty Rush. If Liberty for Jess happened to win the futurity final, he would put more than $200,000 into Broadnax’s pocket. If he runs dead last, he will earn in the neighborhood of $10,000. Either way, Broadnax will have a new top earner. He said he plans to use the money to help pay for his grand-niece’s and great-grand nephew’s educations.

Broadnax said Liberty for Jess weighs in at about 1,040 pounds, and he is thankful most of that is heart.

Here's a look at the field for the Oklahoma Futurity from the rail out with jockey, trainer and odds:

1. Finn McOol, Roman Cruz, Dee Keener, 10-1
2. AJK Viejo Titan, Rolando Raudales, Sacramento Chavez, 12-1
3. Ihearthetrainarollin, Jesus Olivas, Juvenal Licona-Vazquez, 15-1
4. Joose Boxx, Nestor Duran, Juan Diaz, Jr., 3-1
5. Billie Blues Girl, Jesus Salazar, Dee Keener, 20-1
6. Miss Perrys Cowgirl, Mario Delgado, Cody Noel, 5-2
7. Evidenz, Ricky Ramirez, Trey Wood, 8-1
8. Xpress Lane, Ruben Castro, Trey Wood, 5-1
9. Cowboy Blue Z, Bryan Candanosa, Michael Joiner, 6-1
10. Liberty for Jess, Edwin Escobedo, Milton Broadnax, 20-1

Remington Park racing on Friday and Saturday (Oklahoma Futurity Night) will begin at 6pm. The Oklahoma Futurity will be the 11th race on Saturday. Afternoon racing is featured Sunday at 4pm. All times are Central.

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Remington Park has provided more than $345 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, Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The 2024 racing schedule begins Thursday, March 7, as the American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season starts its 50-date season. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.