Jessies First Down streaking into Remington Park Invitational Championship

Jessies First Down, the world champion Quarter Horse of 2016, headlines a blockbuster closing-night card at Remington Park on Saturday. The program features eight stakes, including the Grade 1, $1.1 million Heritage Place Futurity, the richest race in Oklahoma.

Jessies First Down goes in the Grade 1, $250,000 Remington Park Invitational Championship. He will start as a strong favorite on the heels of a track-record performance last out at Sam Houston. Jessies First Down set a track record of 21.21 seconds for 440 yards in winning the Grade 2 Texas Challenge Championship.

Jessies First Down will be racing over the same distance Saturday night when he seeks his sixth consecutive win. The field includes Zoomin Effortlessly. Both horses are multiple Grade 1 winners. Jessies First Down’s streak includes a trio of Grade 1 races, the Refrigerator in October at Lone Star Park, the Zia Park Distance Championship in November, and the Championship at Sunland Park in December.

Rodrigo Vallejo has the mount on Jessies First Down for Ted Abrams and trainer Judd Kearl.

Despain GI and All American Stone were the fastest qualifiers for the Heritage Place Futurity over two nights of trials May 12-13. There was a total of 24 trials, with the horses with the five fastest times from each program advancing to the 350 yard-finale at Remington.

Despain GI covered the distance in 17.51 seconds and won his trial by 1 3/4 lengths on May 12. The win came in the first of the night’s 12 trials. Agustin Silva retains the mount for trainer Rick Robinson.

All American Stone won his trial in 17.65 seconds, rolling by 2 1/2 lengths on May 13. He won in the seventh of 12 trials. Jorge Linares retains the mount for trainer Daniel Luna.

Duponte, who won last year’s Heritage Place Futurity, is part of a strong field for the Grade 2, $297,100 Heritage Place Derby. His rivals include Remington stakes winner Apollitical Scout and fastest qualifier Kiss My Heineken.