FLYING JOY 1 BLASTS HER WAY TO OKLAHOMA FUTURITY VICTORY TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED AFTER TWO RACES

by Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY – Flying Joy 1 took advantage of the favorite Ocho Rojo’s tardy break, flying to the front in the Grade 2, $419,735 Oklahoma Futurity and holding off the rest of the field for a lucrative trip to the winner’s circle at Remington Park.

This was the 84^th edition of the historic Oklahoma Futurity, first contested in 1947. It is the oldest futurity in the American Quarter Horse racing.

Going off at a generous 6-1 odds despite being the fastest qualifier on the second night of trials, March 8, veteran jockey Ricky Ramirez might have been the most surprised rider on the planet that Flying Joy 1 would win a race like this.

“I can’t lie; at the ranch, she just seemed like another horse to me,” Ramirez said from the winner’s circle after the race. “Once we got her to Remington Park, she matured and figured out what her job was.”

This Oklahoma-bred American Quarter Horse filly by Flying Cowboy 123, out of the First Moonflash mare Kylee Joy, won her trial by a head on a sloppy, cold night. Her time that evening was :15.573 with a tailwind of 11 mph. The night before, Ocho Rojo was the fastest at 300 yards in :15.437 with a tailwind of 13 mph, over a fast track. On Saturday night, Ocho Rojo balked at the start and never got into the mix, finishing last in the field of 10.

Trainer Trey Wood picked up his second Oklahoma Futurity triumph, having won with Revenant Moon in 2021. This was the first win for both Ramirez and owner David R. Rogers of Graham, Texas.

“All the credit for (Flying Joy 1) goes to my dad and my sisters,” said Wood. “Dad picked her out at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale (2024) and broke her.”

What a buy this was. Rogers bought her for $49,000. On Saturday night, she won $167,894 to improve her record to two-for-two and a bankroll of $173,786.

Trainer Al Watson, whose Ocho Rojo was late to the party when the gate opened, must have found some solace when his other qualifier, Britts Special Candy (9-1) got up for second, a half-length behind the winner and a neck in front of third-place finisher First Cash Boy (7-1). With the favorite out of the mix, that 50-cent trifecta was worth a hefty $343.50.

Flying Joy 1’s running time was :15.661 on the fast track for a speed-index of 85. Gracefulchik (8-1) finished fourth, followed by Coronados 123 (12-1) in fifth, Ruse Ticle Knockout (13-1) sixth, Lareda (15-1) seventh, Tarzans Tarzi Lo (7-2) eighth, Train Station Tours (16-1) ninth and Ocho Rojo (2-1).

Wood also qualified Lareda, ridden to her trial win on March 8 by Ramirez who had to make a choice for his Oklahoma Futurity final mount.

“I had a tough decision coming into this race between her and Trey’s other finalist, Lareda, but it looks like I made the right choice.”

Flying Joy 1 certainly has the bloodlines that shout success. Flying Cowboy 123 has become one of the most prominent sires among Quarter Horses, having thrown All American Futurity winner Cowboys Gun Z in 2023.

Remington Park racing continues Sunday, March 23 with a card that begins at 4pm-Central.

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Remington Park has provided more than $376 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 $800,000 (estimated) Remington Park Futurity on Saturday, April 19. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.