BIG ROTNEY REMAINS UNDEFEATED, SCORING TIGHT PHOTO FINISH OF $115,300 AMERICAN PAINT CLASSIC FUTURITY

by Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – April 25, 2026 – Big Rotney remained undefeated after four starts and became a multiple-stakes winner, taking the Grade 1, $115,300 American Paint Classic on Friday night at Remington Park, but it was not easy.

There were strong lines of kismet aligned in Big Rotney’s winning of this race. He won under jockey Cody Smith on Friday for owner Apple R Racing (Tim Reid) of McAlester, Okla. In 1992, Tim Reid’s late father, B.D. Reid won the American Paint Classic with Olympic Dancer. On that night, 24 years ago, the winning jockey was Rodger “Wormy” Smith, Cody’s dad.

“I wore my dad’s belt buckle tonight,” said Tim Reid. “The one he had on when he won this race in 1992. This horse (Big Rotney) is awfully special to me because he is the last horse that my dad and I bought together before he passed away.”

The magic of this destiny-laden trophy had to be determined from a tight photo finish between Big Rotney and Paddy Powers (8-1). That runner-up by a head may have to change his name to Poor Paddy Powers. He has run second to Big Rotney in two stakes races now and has given him all he wanted both times.

“We made it interesting tonight,” said Cody Smith. “I really felt we were good at the wire, but it was close. This is how close these two horses are. We were the same distance apart out of the gate as we were at the wire.”

This was the sixth time trainer Matt Whitekiller has won the American Paint Classic, his third in a row, and the fourth time he has given a leg up to Cody Smith before winning this stakes race. The past two years, Whitekiller won with Pretty Lil Poison (2025),and Painted to Be Quick (2024), with jockey Bryan Candanosa hoisting the trophy. The other three wins with Cody Smith were from 2017-2019 – Bully Pulpit, Live Moonshine and Southern Electric, respectively.

“Winning four races in a row? It’s tough to win any race,” said Whitekiller. “But this horse is tough-minded. We are just fortunate to win. We have Big Rotney in the Graham (Speedhorse Graham Paint/Appaloosa Futurity in May) and we just hope we’re as fortunate.”

Big Rotney, a 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred son of multiple world champion Painted Turnpike, out of the CRM Livewire mare CRM Country Girl, was bred by Whitekiller. He sold the gelding to Reid with the caveat he could name him. He said the horse was named for a guy Whitekiller used to play basketball with during his college years.

The 60-1 longshot, Amplified Kool 918, checked in third, another half-length behind the top two. Big Rotney stopped the timer for 330 yards in :16.927 on the fast track for a speed index of 84. Paddy Powers covered the distance over the fast track in :16.936 for an 83.

Big Rotney was bred by Whitekiller. This winner went off at 3-5 odds and paid $3.20 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. With the longshot running third, the 50-cent trifecta paid $56.75. The rest of the order of finish past the top three was Bella BC (13-1) fourth, Ima Hot Mess (18-1) fifth, Game Favorite (3-1) sixth, Splashing Turnpike (12-1) seventh, SW Sparkle (56-1) eighth, WF Manfredi (79-1) ninth and Apollitical Stephani (73-1) 10^th.

Remington Park racing continues Saturday and Sunday, April 26 & 27. The first race Saturday is at 6pm, Sunday racing starts at 4pm. All times are Central.

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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.