RED-HOT DUO OF TRAINER ALCALA, JOCKEY PULIDO WIN BOB MOORE MEMORIAL STAKES WITH SURPRISE TEMPTATION

Saturday, April 18, 2026
by Richard Linihan

The red-hot Leonardo Alcala deadlocked with three-time defending champion trainer Dee Keener in a tie for leading Remington Park trainer when jockey Juan Pulido powered Surprise Temptation to a hard-fought win in the $53,200 Bob Moore Memorial Stakes on Saturday night.

It was the second win for both Alcala and Pulido in the first four races on the Saturday night card. Surprise Temptation, a Utah-bred gelded son of Tempting Dash, from the First Prize Stanley mare VF Red Surprise, held on by a neck to win the first of nine stakes races on the Saturday card. Curls Magic Wagon (5-1) didn’t make it easy for the 3-year-old winner from Alcala’s barn as both crushed the 100-mark for a speed index. Surprise Temptation hit the wire at 300 yards in :15.077 for a 104. Curls Magic Wagon, ridden by Francisco Calderon for trainer John Stinebaugh, checked in at :15.116 for a 103. The track was fast.

Surprise Temptation has been first or second in seven-of-eight starts lifetime, winning for the third time in his career. This was the first black-type win, however. He was sent off as the wagering favorite at 9-5 odds and paid $5.80 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Finishing third, another three-quarters of a length back, was Cardiac Cowboy (2-1). The remaining order of finish was Ima Fancy Eye Opener (3-1) fourth, Designated Eagle (33-1) fifth, Liberty for Jess (55-1) sixth, Jo Nita Foose Around (12-1) seventh and Smyly (32-1) eighth.

Alcala began the night two wins behind Keener, but moved into a tie for the lead in the trainers’ race with 25 wins apiece. Pulido’s two wins on the night moved him 22 ahead of second-place Roman Cruz at 41-19. It was the second win in this stakes series for Pulido, who also won the Bob Moore in 2020 with VF Jedi Returns. It was the first win in this series for the other connections.

Surprise Temptation earned $29,100 for owner LA Racing Stables of Kingwood, Texas and improved his record to 8-3-4-0 with a bankroll of $113,934. He was bred by McColee Land & Livestock and was a $100,000 purchase from the 2024 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.

The Bob Moore Memorial is named in honor of the Hall of Fame horseman who was prominent in American Quarter Horse racing for over four decades, operating from his Norman, Okla. farm. Bob Moore Farms continues to be a leader in breeding quality horses.

Remington Park has provided more than $410 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. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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