TRAINER EDDIE WILLIS PUTS STING ON THEM IN LAICO BIRD STAKES WITH RELENTLESS SCORPION, HIS SIXTH WIN IN SERIES

Trainer Eddie Willis, continued his reign as king of the Laico Bird Stakes. He won the race for the sixth time in its 13-year-history at Remington Park, this time putting the sting on the competition with Relentless Scorpion.

Willis combined with jockey Justine Klaiber for the victory Saturday and with Best of You in 2020. It was Klaiber’s second win in the series.

The victory Saturday night in the restricted Grade 3, $68,000 stakes was for owner Wishbone Partnership (Michael Vaughan) of Norman, Okla. Willis’ other four winners were Js History Lesson (2018), jockey Jimmy Brooks; The Charm of Corona (2015), Brooks; Pronto Alex (2013), David Pinon, and Madresita, (2012), Brooks.

Willis has won the training title at Remington Park in 12 different seasons, including the past three.

Klaiber broke out of the gate like her saddle was on fire and never was headed in this 330 yard-race. The 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred filly by Hes Relentless, out of the Apollitical Jess mare Pollitical Scorpion, hit the wire at a generous 9-1 odds a half-length in front of Ivory Senator, third favorite sent off at 3-1 odds. Vencedora Jess, the 5-2 betting favorite, checked in third, another nose behind the runner-up. Running time for the winner was :16.863 over a fast track for an 89 speed index.

Relentless Scorpion returned $21.60, $9.40 and $5.40 to win, place and show. Her win was worth $37,800 to Wishbone Partnership, granting their only wish in the race. Their juvenile filly improved her record to three starts with two wins and a third-place finish, earning $49,766 in the process. She was bred in Oklahoma by Jahree Standridge.

The Laico Bird Stakes is named after the 1967 All American Futurity winner and American Quarter Horse Association World Champion who was bred in Oklahoma and campaigned over her career by Jimmy Jones, of Norman, Okla.

There will be no racing on Easter Sunday. Live racing continues next week with racing Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. A week from Easter, racing resumes on Sundays at 4 p.m.

Tracked by more than 168,000 fans on Facebook and 10,600 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $288 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 will feature the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity and the $250,000 Debbie Schauf Remington Park Championship on May 28. Simulcast horse is racing featured daily at Remington Park where the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

-30-