American Paint Classic to Lajollas Mr Big Stuff

OKLAHOMA CITY - The start wasn't the best but the ending was superb for Lajollas Mr Big Stuff as he came from behind to win the Grade 1, $86,000 American Paint Classic Futurity on Saturday at Remington Park. The gelding out-dueled Major Mac to score by a neck.

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Lajollas Mr Big Stuff. Photo by Dustin Orona Photography

The futurity was featured Saturday along with the American Paint Derby as both events were presented by the Paint Stallion Breeders' Association.

Owned by Jane Cullum of Muskogee, Okla. and trained by Dee Keener, Lajollas Mr Big Stuff was ridden by Cody Jensen and showed incredible patience in the starting gate while many of his other eight foes took turns acting up prior to being sent on their way.

"My colt was really good in the gate," Jensen noted. "He got away pretty sharp, maybe a neck behind Major Mac to our outside. Dee (Keener) told me that he kind of looks for the lights at the finish line. I was just hoping that when he got close he didn't stop his run tonight."

Bred in Oklahoma by Cullum, La Jollas Mr Big Stuff crossed the finish in :17.761 seconds over the fast track. Major Mac was gallant in a close defeat with Super Glide Harley, also trained by Keener, another length behind the top pair in third.

La Jollas Mr Big Stuff was 2-1 in the wagering and paid $6.60 to win, $4.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Major Mac paid $5.60 to place and $4 to show. Super Glide Harley, the beaten 9-5 wagering favorite, paid $2.60 to show.

La Jollas Mr Big Stuff is a 2-year-old Paint gelding by SF Royal Quick Flash from the Streakin La Jolla (qh) mare McM Evelyn Lajolla. His triumph in the American Paint Futurity is his second from four attempts with the other coming in the trial for the futurity. The winner's top prize of $31,906 boosts his overall earnings to $40,106.

The American Paint Classic win by La Jollas Mr Big Stuff was the first for Cullum and Jensen while Keener won his second. He saddled Speed Bandit to victory in 2008.

Flashthechicks strikes again, adding derby to credentials
Nearly one year ago, Flashthechicks won the American Paint Classic Futurity on April 21, 2011 at 10-1 odds. Saturday night, the 3-year-old gelded son of SF Royal Quick Dash was more respected as the 7-5 wagering favorite and did not disappoint, rolling home to win the Grade 1, $46,700 American Paint Derby.

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Flashthechicks. Photo by Dustin Orona Photography

Flashthechicks won by a half-length over Runaway Argus with Spotless Redneck a game third, a neck behind the runner-up. Flashthechicks covered the 400 yards of the derby in 19.843.

Owned by Shirley Wheeler of Boynton, Okla., her homebred Paint gelding out of her mare Game Chicken recorded his seventh win and fourth stakes win in 14 lifetime starts. Trained by Luis Villafranco and ridden by G.R. Carter, Flashthechicks used a sharp start to take advantage of his foes early.

"It went really well. We broke right close to the lead," Carter said after the trophy was handed out in the winner's circle. "He swapped to his right lead about halfway home and when he did he just really took off. I did a better job of riding him tonight than when I got him beat in that other derby earlier this season."

Carter referred to his fifth-place finish aboard Flashthechicks in the Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby on St. Patrick's Day.

At 7-5 in the wagering, Flashthechicks paid $4.80 to win, $3 to place and $2.10 to show. Runaway Argus paid $6.20 to place and $3.20 to show. Spotless Redneck, the second-choice in the wagering at 2-1 odds, stumbled at the start before making third to pay $3 to show.

Flashthechicks now boasts lifetime earnings of $215,260 after picking up the first-place check of $21,015 for the derby. He is by SF Royal Quick Flash from the Game Patriot (qh) mare Game Chicken. He was bred in Oklahoma by Wheeler.

The American Paint Derby win is the first for Wheeler. Villafranco has saddled the winner in the race three times as he was also triumphant with Knee High Country (2008) and The Cock Of The Walk (2011). Carter has now ridden the winner in the derby six times (1997,1998, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2012).

Carter's win in the American Paint Derby was his third on Saturday night. He preceded the stakes victory with Jess A Zoomin ($6 to win) in the seventh race and Eyema Special Candy ($4.80) in the eighth race. The riding triple gives Carter 40 wins for the season, 11 ahead of Adalberto Candanosa in second with 29.

Sunday racing at Remington Park begins at 1:30pm. The $25,000 Miss Olene Stakes for 3-year-old fillies is featured.

Open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park.

Remington Park is Oklahoma City's only Racetrack & Casino, located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.