ALCALA QUALIFIED TWO OF TOP THREE ON NIGHT ONE OF REMINGTON PARK FUTURITY TRIALS

The first night of trials for the $854,775 Remington Park Futurity on found the top qualifiers in the first five races of the evening. Those races also happened to be the only heats of the night that enjoyed an advantage from a northerly tailwind.

The Thursday card started with a 15mph wind from the northwest, providing a nice tailwind. The wind continued to calm with every trial of the evening until it was gone by the sixth trial. Trainer Leonardo Alcala had the good fortune of 2-year-olds on go from his barn and the early wind, placing two into the April 27 final.

Cowgirls Can Fly was the top qualifier of the evening, winning the second trial of the night with a 12mph tailwind. Leaving the starting gate from the outside post-position in the field of eight, the filly by Flying Cowboy 123 from the Check Him Out mare Check Out This Queen, handled the 330 yards in :16.614. The effort over the fast track earned a Speed Index of 95. Francisco Calderon was up for the score.

Owned by Marisol Alvarado of Jones, Okla., Cowgirls Can Fly was bred in Oklahoma by Pine Ridge Farm and was sold at the 2023 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale for $33,000.

Alcala also saddled Coronita KO to victory in the fifth trial, right before the tailwind disappeared. A filly by Corona Cartel from the Apollitical Jess mare, As and Js, is also bred and owned by Alcala. Coronita KO crossed the finish in :16.763 for a speed index of 91. Edwin Escobedo was up for the trial win.

Broodmare As and Js was a multiple stakes winner at Remington Park, earning $531,134 during her career which included a triumph in the Grade 1 Junos Request Stakes here in 2019.

The five qualifiers from Thursday night to the Remington Park Futurity, restricted to eligible Oklahoma-breds, with trial number, trainer, jockey, time and speed index, are:
Cowgirls Can Fly: trial 2, Leonardo Alcala, Francisco Calderon, :16.614, 95
My Fancy Corona: trial 3, Michelle Hurdle, Javier Hernandez-Gallardo, :16.737, 91
Coronita KO: trial 5, Alcala, Edwin Escobedo, :16.763, 91
Apocalyptical Moon: trial 1, James Gonzales III, Calderon, :16.782, 90
Iteas Jessy: trial 2, Guillermo Valdivia, James Flores, :16.849, 88

Iteas Jessy was the only non-winner to qualify on Thursday. The filly owned by William E. Smith of Claremore, Okla. had to sit on the fifth-position qualifying bubble for the final six trials of the night, to hold on for the final.

Another 11 trial heats will be held Friday night, April 12, to qualify five more for the Remington Park Futurity. The first race is at 6pm-Central.

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 Remington Park Futurity for Oklahoma-breds is featured on April 27. The 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1. 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.

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