TRAINER MATT WHITEKILLER WINS BATTLE OF GIANTS AS HIS PRETTY LIL POISON GETS BEST OF KEENER’S BUNCH IN PAINT CLASSIC FUTURITY

As history has written, the Grade 1, $120,800 Paint Stallion Breeders’ Association American Paint Classic came down to a battle between the two training giants in Paint racing. When it was all said and done Friday night at Remington Park, it was Matt Whitekiller’s Pretty Lil Poison that prevailed in the race for 2-year-old Paints.

In the past 14 years, either trainer Dee Keener or Whitekiller, have won this race 11 times. On this night Whitekiller moved closer to Keener in number of times he has made it to the winner’s circle in the Paint Classic. Keener holds the record with seven victories while Pretty Lil Poison gave Whitekiller his fifth win in this series. The two of them are at the top of the all-time winning trainers in mixed breed racing.

Pretty Lil Poison was bred by Whitekiller and is owned by him as well. She is a 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred Paint daughter of multiple World Champion Painted Turnpike, out of the Tac It Like a man (QH) mare, Miss Fly On Tac (QH).

It appeared this would be the ultimate matchup as well. It would be the rubber match between Keener’s Turbulent (2-1) and Pretty Lil Poison, the 9-5 post-time favorite. The first time they faced each other was in the finals of the Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity on March 22 at Remington Park. Turbulent won that race as Pretty Lil Poison ran third. In the American Paint Classic trials, Turbulent went off the favorite and was looking to the side when they broke from the gate. Pretty Lil Poison took advantage of that difficulty and won that trial as Turbulent could manage only a fourth-place finish.

So, Friday night, Turbulent backers were determined she would get revenge. There were no excuses on this night, however. Pretty Lil Poison just proved to be the best Paint filly in the field, breaking strongly and cruising home a half-length in front of runner-up Turnpike Jammer (9-1) in second. Turbulent checked in third, another head back.

“She is small, but she is mighty,” said winning jockey Francisco Calderon. “The assistant starter (in the gate) did a great job getting her ready to break; kept her where she needed to be. She is a great filly. I only had to ask her to run a couple of times. They were coming at her at the end, but I think we still would have got there at 350 yards.”

The race was at 330 yards and Pretty Lil Poison hit the finish line in a time of :16.576 seconds, earning a speed-index of 96 on the fast track.

“She has really been a blessing,” said Whitekiller. “Hopefully, she will go back in the next futurity (Speedhorse Graham, later this month). There are only three during the meet and it can be hard on them, but you just hate to miss a futurity. We’ll see.”
Pretty Lil Poison paid $5.60 to win, $3.80 to place and $2.60 to show. The rest of the order of finish past the top three was Slingshot Engaged (3-1) fourth, KJ All of the Marbles (19-1) fifth, Livewires Apollo (13-1), sixth, Vexing Queen (18-1) seventh, Gigis Gucci Glasses (53-1) eighth, WL Post Malone (40-1) ninth and PT Got a Filly (43-1) reared up as the gate opened and finished last more than 20 lengths behind.

Pretty Lil Poison picked up $48,904 as the American Paint Classic winner, driving her four-race career earnings to $77,052. She has four starts this season with two wins, one second and one third.

Whitekiller’s other four victories in the American Paint Classic came with Painted to Be Quick last year, Southern Electric (2019), Live Moonshine (2018) and Bully Pulpit (2017). This is the first win for Whitekiller as an owner in this race.

Remington Park racing continues Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4. Saturday features the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs, so Remington Park action will begin early at Noon. Sunday racing starts at its usual 4pm. All times are Central.

Remington Park has provided more than $377 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 $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity on May 31, the final night of this meet. 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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