FIRST APOLLO MOON FINALLY FIGURING OUT THIS GAME, WINNING FOR SECOND TIME IN LAST THREE STARTS

It took First Apollo Moon a total of 11 starts to land in the winner’s circle for the first time in his career, and now he has won two of his last three races.

The 4-year-old gelding, out of trainer Martin Orona, Sr.’s barn, broke his maiden at Zia Park in New Mexico last fall on Oct. 7 and then was second against winners for the first time at Zia in December. First Apollo Moon then shipped to Remington Park for this Quarter Horse/Paint/Appaloosa meet and in his first try in Oklahoma City. The gelded son of First Moonflash, out of the Feature Mr Jess mare Officer of the Court, came home as a long shot in the featured Sunday night allowance event for non-winners of two career races.

Jockey Raul Herrera was in the driver’s seat for Orona and owner Victor Lozano of Denver City, Texas. He won for the first time this meet, getting this horse to the finish line first at 18-1 odds. The winner finished a neck ahead of runner-up Jess Arrogant (5-2, second favorite), and FDD Princess (20-1) was another half-length behind in third. Even though it was Herrera’s first win this season, in his career it was his 179th victory and his horses have earned more than $4 million since he began riding in 2013.

First Apollo Moon paid $39.40 to win, $12.60 to place and $7.60 to show. His running time for the 330 yards was :16.934 over a fast track, good enough for an 85-speed index. Mike’s Last Shot, the 5-2 betting favorite, with just slightly more money played on him to win that Jess Arrogant, could do no better than seventh place in the 12-horse field.

First Apollo Moon earned $11,272 for the victory from the $22,000 purse. He improved his record to 13 starts, two wins, two seconds and five thirds for a total of $36,760. He was bred in New Mexico by Ramon Gonzalez, Jr.

Live racing continues next week, March 25-28, with a Thursday-Sunday schedule; first post time nightly is 6pm-Central.

Tracked by more than 165,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $258 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 is open daily for casino gaming and simulcast horse racing. The 2021 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through May 29. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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