FIELD SET FOR AQHA REMINGTON PARK DISTANCE CHALLENGE, HANDIN OUT CANDY TOPS QUALIFYING

by Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – March 13, 2026 – In two trials for the 870-yard Grade 2, $30,000-added American Quarter Horse Association Remington Park Distance Challenge, the two heavy favorites – Handin Out Candy and O Donovan Rossa – were dominant Friday night.

The two fastest qualifiers – Handin Out Candy and O Donovan Rossa – respectively, ran in two separate trials and each won as expected, setting up an all-hands-on-deck final scheduled for Saturday, March 28.

O Donovan Rossa, a multiple distance champion at Remington Park and a multiple graded stakes-winning gelding, held serve in his trial, winning by a full length, but he would have to play second fiddle to Handin Out Candy, who had the fastest trial of the two with a time of :45.958 seconds over a fast track. O Donovan Rossa won his heat in :46.117, which was the second-fastest time of the night.

Handin Out Candy, a 7-year-old Alabama-bred gelding by Jess Good Candy, out of the Dash Ta Fame mare Ole Auntie Em, drew the rail and won for the fifth time in a row and seventh time in his past eight races. Jockey Omar Iturralde booted the gelding out of the gate like a bottle rocket and never looked back. Trainer Paul Cedillo had Handin Out Candy set on go and won his trial by 1-1/2 lengths. It was the winner’s first win at Remington Park in three tries.

Among his seven wins in his last eight races, Handin Out Candy was victorious in the Grade 2 Distance Challenge Stakes and the Grade 1 Distance Challenge Championship, both at the Downs at Albuquerque in New Mexico; and the Grade 2 King Rick Rack Stakes at Zia Park, also in New Mexico. All of those trips to the winner’s circle came after wins around the hook at 870 yards.

Handin Out Candy’s record at 870 yards after Friday night is 16 starts, seven wins, four seconds and one third for earnings of $225,102. With O Donovan Rossa’s win, he improved at 870 yards to 23-10-6-3, $303,579 for the Oklahoma-bred. The career records are similar. Handin Out Candy, owned by Emilio Perez of Arlington, Texas, is now at 37-10-9-3, $305,581 lifetime. O Donovan Rossa, owned by Kelly Yother Equine (Garvan Kelly) of Broken Arrow, Okla., improved to 47-14-10-6, $410,577. He is trained by Dee Keener and was ridden to victory by Roman Cruz.

Handin Out Candy was bred by Paris Wixon while O Donovan Rossa’s owner is also his breeder.

The eight fastest times in the trials qualified for the finals. Here they are with jockey, trainer, time, speed index:

• Handin Out Candy, Omar Iturralde, Paul Sedillo, :45.958, 87
• O Donovan Rossa, Roman Cruz, Dee Keener, :46.117, 85
• Wynnchester, Mario Delgado, Justin Joiner, :46.209, 84
• Hezamonzter, Edwin Escobedo, Marc Jungers, :46.248, 83
• Chickn Hock, Francisco Calderon, Clint Crawford, :46.265, 83
• Invincible Streak, Ramiro Garcia, Stacey Capps, :46.595, 79
• Fl Rizzo, Cody Smith, Matt Whitekiller, :46.689, 78
• Red Jet, Mario Delgado, Justin Joiner, :46.839, 76

Remington Park racing continues Saturday, March 14 with the Decketta Stakes and Eastex Stakes as co-headliners. The first race is at 6pm. Sunday, March 15 racing begins at 4pm. All times are Central.

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Remington Park has provided more than $408 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 2026 Remington Park American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season is underway. The 85^th Oklahoma Futurity will be contested on Saturday, March 21. 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.