ALL-TIME WINNER IN PAINT RACING, TRAINER DEE KEENER, WINS HIS SECOND IN A ROW IN OKLAHOMA PAINT & APP JUVENILE, WITH WF JESS CANDY

by Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – March 23, 2024 – There have only been three editions of the Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Juvenile Stakes, but the all-time winningest Paint trainer in history, Dee Keener, showed why he is No. 1. Keener won his second in a row in this series with WF Jess Candy on Saturday night, a $40,000 event.

Jockey Ricky Ramirez got this 2-year-old Paint colt out of the gate quickly and flew to the win from the outside 10-post for Keener and owner Painted Faith Racing (Wendy Ingersoll) of Inola, Okla., keeping it all in the family. Ingersoll is Keener’s wife.

WF Jess Candy, a 2-year-old by PHQ Apollitical Jess, out of the Country Chicks Man (QH) mare SW Eye Candy, showed staunch improvement in his second race after running fourth in the trials for these finals, not qualifying for the big race. He was not to be denied in this race, however. The winner outlasted the runner-up, If I Was a Cowboy (24-1 odds) by a neck for the victory.

WF Jess Candy won $15,200 and was sent off at generous 6-1 odds and returned $15 to win, $7.40 to place and $4.40 to show to his backers. He stopped the clock for 300 yards in this race in :15.818 on the fast track for a speed index of 79. His new running lines are two starts with one win and $15,598 in earnings. This colt was bred in Oklahoma by Steve Wright and Keener.

The second-place finisher was another head in front of Back Spin (5-2 favorite) in third, followed by Cowboy On the Fly (9-2) fourth, Linda Cartel (6-1) fifth, Baileys N Blood (13-1) sixth, Valiant Fury (15-1) seventh, WL Karma (7-2) eighth, EL Kicken Cowboy (12-1) ninth and Flyin On the Turnpike (19-1) 10^th.

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Remington Park has provided more than $345 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 simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The Remington Park Futurity for Oklahoma-breds is featured on April 27. The 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1. starts its 50-date season. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.