TRAINER EDDIE WILLIS WINS HIS FIFTH LAICO BIRD STAKES AT REMINGTON PARK WITH BEST OF YOU

OKLAHOMA CITY – April 19, 2020 – For the fifth time in 11-runnings of the Laico Bird Stakes, trainer Eddie Willis won the race, this time with 2-year-old filly Best of You. The Laico Bird Stakes is a restricted Grade 3 event for Oklahoma-bred 2-year-olds.

Jockey Justine Klaiber popped on top with Best of You and was just barely able to hold off the late charge of Ferarri B for the victory. Best of You is a juvenile daughter of Apollitical Jess, out of the Foose mare Foo Who, and is owned and was bred by Zynda Racing of Anadarko, Okla.

This filly stopped the timer for 330 yards in :17.038 over a fast track, finishing a head in front of runner-up Ferarri B, who was another half-length ahead of third-place Buford T. Best of You earned a speed index of 83 for the race. It was her second win in three tries. She broke her maiden last time out on March 19 at Remington Park after getting beat a half-length in the Oklahoma Futurity trials here on March 7.

Willis also won this race in 2018 with Js History Lesson, 2015 with The Charm of Corona, 2013 with Pronto Alex and 2012 with Madresita. It was the first win in the Laico Bird for Klaiber and Zynda Racing. Willis has won 10 training titles in his conditioning career at Remington Park and was inducted into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame here in 2018.

Best of You earned $27,300 from the $48,500 Laico Bird Stakes purse and now has a lifetime bankroll of $43,194. She paid $20.60, $6.60 and $3.80 across the board. Not a bad payoff for a trainer who has dominated this race. Ferarri B was the beaten wagering favorite at 9-5 odds.

The Laico Bird Stakes is named after the 1967 All American Futurity winner and American Quarter Horse Association World Champion who was bred in Oklahoma and campaigned over her career by Jimmy Jones, of Norman, Okla.

Racing is scheduled to continue, with no public spectators, with Sunday’s 10-race card on tap with a new post time of 6 p.m. (Central) for the first race.

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Tracked by more than 163,000 fans on Facebook and more than 10,200 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $242 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 the 2020 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season through May 30. Visit remingtonpark.com for free racing selections for every program.