JS ON FIRE MAKES SCORES AQHA REMINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE

by Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – April 6, 2025 – If not for three-quarters of a length, Js On Fire might be a two-time stakes winner at this Remington Park meet. Sunday her won ,the Grade 2 $68,535 AQHA Remington Park Championship Challenge.

The 4-year-old horse by Hes Relentless, out of the Apollitical Jess mare As and Js, ran second by less than a length in the Grade 2, $50,000 SLM Big Daddy Stakes at 550 yards on opening weekend in March. He had the lead in that race every step of the way except the last few strides. Shortening up to 440 yards on Sunday was the recipe for success for Js On Fire. Jockey Bryan Candanosa rode him with confidence throughout after breaking third from the gate.

Js On Fire won by a half-length as the 6-5 betting favorite, just edging out another closer, One Stolin Eagle (6-1). Nothin Like You (5-2 second favorite) finished third. The rest of the order of finish was Mystic Paint (7-2) fourth, Im No Lawyer Butt (11-1) fifth, Mr May (32-1) sixth, JT True Grit (23-1) seventh and SW Awesome Wild Bill (22-1).

“He left there awkward,” said winning jockey Candanosa. “That was probably my fault, but in the last 100 yards, he really put it all together.”

Trainer Michael Joiner said he thought running him in the SLM Big Daddy would set him up well for this race.

“I think that probably helped him the last 100 yards tonight,” Joiner said. “I don’t really know what we will do with him next. Guess I’ll have to make a game plan.”

It might be tough to find a horse more well-bred than Js On Fire. His sire, Hes Relentless, is a multiple AQHA Racing Champion Sire and is the sire of All-American Futurity winner Hes Judgeandjury. On the bottom side of his pedigree is Apollitical Jess, who sired three All American Futurity winners – KJ Desparado, Apocalyptical Jess and Mr Jess Jenkins – not to mention World Champion Empressum. If that’s not enough, Js On Fire’s dam (mother), As and Js, won more than a half-million dollars in her racing career as a graded stakes winner, taking the Junos Request Stakes at Remington Park among other stakes.

Tonight’s trip to the winner’s circle was the fifth for Js On Fire, but it was the first time he has relished a stakes win. He had some victories that were stakes-like, winning an All American Futurity trial, Rainbow Futurity trial and a Texas Classic Futurity trial, all events for Grade 1 races.

Js On Fire stopped the timer for 440 yards in :21.367 seconds for a speed-index of 106 over the muddy and sealed track. He paid $4.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Js On Fire earned $32,897 for owner Joshua Owens of Pleasanton, Texas, and improved to 14 starts, five wins, one second and two thirds for a bankroll of $140,358. He was purchased in the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale for $105,000.

••••

Remington Park has provided more than $377 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 $868,455 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.