FLYING BANDIDA WINS BATTLE TO WIRE IN REMINGTON PARK THURSDAY FEATURE

Flying Bandida was all heart Thursday night, persevering to the finish line in the featured allowance at Remington Park. She held off longshot Like That Corona with a three-quarters length victory under jockey Ramiro Garcia.

The 3-year-old Oklahoma-bred filly, trained by Jason Olmstead and owned by Shari Burger and Vickie McBee of Jay, Okla., broke on top in the 330-yard race and held off the runner-up by less than a length in a time of :16.874, earning a speed-index of 87 over the fast track. The filly was also bred by Burger.

Flying Bandida had not raced since Nov. 12, 2024, at Will Rogers Downs in the $536,000 Black Gold Futurity in Claremore, Okla., and was sent off at 6-1 odds in that tough final. She was bumped coming out of the gate in that huge race and was squeezed back out of contention, running 10th of 10 horses. She had won her futurity trial by a neck on Oct. 27. That poor start in the Black Gold Futurity may have kept her backers from jumping back on board with a drop in class Thursday as she garnered 9-2 odds on the toteboard in the race for those seeking their third career win.

Garcia and Flying Bandida jumped on the break and lived up to her name, flying to a win, the third of her career. She paid $11.40 to win, $6.40 to place and $2.40 to show. The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123, out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Meaningful Memories, earned $18,015 from the $30,150 purse, improving her record to 10 starts, three wins and four seconds, bankrolling a total of $95,301.

Like That Corona (11-1) checked in second, another neck ahead of third-place finisher Revvs Cowboy (5-1). The 6-5 wagering favorite, Dancing Cowgirl 5678, could do no better than fourth, a nose behind Revvs Cowboy.

This trip to the winner’s circle was the second of the meet for both Olmsted and Garcia. It was the first time that Flying Bandida had raced against older horses in her career. She was one of only two 3-year-olds racing in this allowance feature. The other sophomore in the field was Apolitical Wagon on the rail, who ran seventh.

Remington Park racing continues Friday-Sunday, March 14-16 with the first race nightly at 6pm. Sunday racing begins at 4pm. All times are Central.

Remington Park has provided more than $376 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 year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. The 2025 American Quarter Horse Season, features the historic 84th edition of the Oklahoma Futurity on Saturday, March 22. 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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