MR APOLLO JESS MADE 8-5 MORNING LINE FAVORITE FOR FINALS OF RESTRICTED GRADE 1 $926,500 REMINGTON PARK FUTURITY SATURDAY

Mr Apollo Jess has been made the 8-5 morning line favorite for the 33rd running of the $926,500 Remington Park Futurity on Saturday night. It is a Grade 1 race restricted to Oklahoma-bred 2-year-old Quarter Horses at 330 yards.

Don’t be surprised, however, if the colt is closer to his trial odds of 3-5, considering his fastest time in the trials of :16.831 seconds was the only time of the top 10 qualifiers that broke the 17-seconds mark. The 2-year-old colt by Apollitical Jess, out of the First Down Dash mare A Delightful Legacy, was even more impressive in winning his trial by 1-3/4 lengths because he earned an 88 speed index. The closest horse to him in speed indexes among the other nine qualifiers was five points less as Especially Jess was at 83.

Another reason he will be bet heavily is that he comes from trainer Kelly Heltzel’s barn. All she has done this meet is send out 13 starters and won eight races. That is an unprecedented 62 percent winning mark. Normally, 62 percent would be great for horses running in the money (first, second or third). The nearest trainer to her is Monty Arrossa at 38 percent. Mr Apollo Jess has established himself as the horse to beat in this edition of the futurity. The colt is owned by Zitro Racing Corp (Pedro Ortiz-Castillo) of Forney, Texas.

Heltzel’s horses have earned $105,107 in those 13 starts at Remington Park this year. Last year, she only started horses six times all year in Texas and the best she could do is one second and one third for $5,533 earned.

Mr Apollo Jess, with leading jockey Juan Pulido up, and undefeated in two trips aboard the favorite, has been established as the 8-5 favorite in the No. 3 post position, right next door to Especially Jess, in the 2-hole. That sorrel colt by Apollitical Jess, is listed as the 9-5 second favorite on the morning line. In his defense, if compared to Mr Apollo Jess, the two raced on separate days of the trials, and Especially Jess was the fastest qualifier the first day.

Mr Apollo Jess was bred in Oklahoma by Rancho El Cabresto Inc. Both colts have the same sire, the all-time leading sire of money earners for a single season. He produced two All American Futurity winners – Apocalyptical Jess and Mr Jess Jenkins.

Jockey G.R. Carter holds the record for most wins in the Remington Park Futurity with six. Trainer Jack Brooks had most for conditioners with four.

Here is the rundown from post position 1-10 for the Futurity (with their jockey, trainer, and trial times, speed indexes and futurity odds):
· 1) Trapper Jon, Jimmy Brooks, Eddie Willis, :17.116 seconds, 80, 12-1
· 2) Especially Jess, Jose Alvarez, Trey Wood, :17.016, 83, 9-5
· 3) Mr Apollo Jess, Juan Pulido, Kelly Heltzel, :16.831, 88, 8-5
· 4) Ajs Tres of Paint, James Flores, Troy Carter, :17.158, 78, 20-1
· 5) Em High Country, Rodrigo Vallejo, Tammy Johnson, :17.088, 80, 20-1
· 6) Nash Ridge, Rolando Raudales, Stacey Capps, :17.109, 80, 20-1
· 7) Dreams of the Heart, Raul Valenzuela, Dee Keener, :17.115, 80, 20-1
· 8) San Lorenzo Tay, Agustin Silva, Kelly Heltzel, :17.168, 78, 6-1
· 9) Reimagine, Francisco Calderon, Jose U. Lopez, :17.085, 81, 12-1
· 10) First Prize Dash 2, Raul Ramirez, Jr., Manuel Rodriguez, :17.146, 79, 20-1
The Remington Park Futurity will go as the 11th race of 12 on the card that begins at 6 p.m. The Futurity is scheduled to go off around 10:29 p.m. CDT.

Saturday’s card also includes the 33rd running of the $355,800 Remington Park Derby, a restricted Grade 2 race for 3-year-old Quarter Horses going 400 yards.

Trainer Eddie Willis qualified 5-of-10 horses for the finals of the Derby that will be run as the 10th race on the card at about 10 p.m. Trainer Monty Arrossa, however, had the fastest qualifier in Candy Blood.

Arrossa saved the best for last as Candy Blood put up a time of :19.761 seconds at 400 yards in the final trial of the night on Thursday, April 1 with three-time defending jockey title-holder James Flores in the saddle. The 3-year-old gray gelding by Apollitical Blood, out of the Wave Carver mare Ranch Candy, stepped on the gas after a slight bobble at the start and cruised to victory in the swiftest time for owner Rick Sumner and Dunn Ranch (Matt Dunn) of Wynnewood, Okla. Candy Blood was bred in Oklahoma by Sumner.

Carter and Brooks have the most wins in this series, also, with four apiece.

Here’s a look at the Derby from the rail out for the 10 qualifiers:

· 1) Candy Blood, James Flores, Monty Arrossa, :19.761 seconds, 88, 3-1
· 2) Empressum, Rodrigo Vallejo, Heath Taylor, :19.837, 87, 10-1
· 3) B Cause Im a Hero, Francisco Calderon, Clint Crawford,:19.821, 87, 8-1
· 4) Mh Apollitical Spy, Jose Vega, Eddie Willis, :19.978, 83, 12-1
· 5) Hr Princess Jess, Cody Smith, Eddie Willis, :19.841, 86, 5-1
· 6) Apollitical Gold, Jimmy Brooks, Eddie Willis, :19.843, 86, 4-1
· 7) A Pollitical Gal, Jorge Torres, Clint Crawford, :19.915, 85, 12-1
· 8) Eye Work for You, Juan Pulido, Edelmiro Carrizales, :19.891, 85, 6-1
· 9) Apollitical Bird, Justine Klaiber, Eddie Willis, :19.990, 83, 15-1
· 10) Everlong, Benito Baca, Eddie Willis, :19.985, 83, 12-1

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. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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