Remington Park: Trainer Eddie Willis has large arsenal for Quarter Horse stakes

Remington Park leading trainer Eddie Willis will attack the track’s two major Quarter Horse stakes Saturday night, when he saddles a pair of fillies in the Grade 2, $390,800 Oklahoma Futurity and five starters in the Grade 3, $220,000 Oklahoma Derby.

The races are open-company stakes. The Oklahoma Futurity, at 300 yards, is being run for the 73rd time and is the oldest futurity for Quarter Horses, according to Remington. The Oklahoma Derby will be run over 350 yards. Both races have fields of 10.

Remington put on 15 trials for the Oklahoma Futurity on March 8, and by the end of the night, Willis had qualified Chrome Hussy and Bling Dynasty, who won a shake with Jody Pops Lil Wagon to secure her spot in the gate. Chrome Hussy was a 1 1/2-length winner of her 300-yard trial, while Bling Dynasty drove to a head score with a time that matched Jody Pops Lil Wagon. The shake for a starting position was held before the stewards at Remington. Jimmy Brooks, the leading rider at Remington, was aboard both Willis trainees in the trials and is named on both horses Saturday. The fillies are coupled for the meet’s leading owner, Reliance Ranches.

Apolitical Pac set the fastest qualifying time for the Oklahoma Futurity when she won her trial in 15.28 seconds. She proved 1 3/4 lengths best. Rodney Reed trains the filly, and like Willis has a second qualifier in the field in First Prize Parisa.

The lineup for the Oklahoma Futurity also includes 3 3/4-length trial winner Pyb Place Your Bet.

For the Oklahoma Derby, the fastest qualifier was the Willis-trained One Valiant Hero, who won his 350-yard trial in 17.40 seconds. Brooks was aboard and has the mount Saturday. Others going for the Willis barn are This Dude Can Fly, Vh Won, Midnight Cartel, and Just After Me.