Sunday Sylence looks to improve off trial in Oklahoma Futurity

Sunday Sylence might appeal to Thoroughbred handicappers looking for a hunch bet Saturday night in the Grade 2, $440,800 Oklahoma Futurity at Remington Park.

The 300-yard race for Quarter Horses leads a 12-race program that also features the Grade 3, $262,700 Oklahoma Derby.

The Oklahoma Futurity is being renewed for the 81st time, and it’s the longest-running futurity in American Quarter Horse racing history, according to a press release from Remington. It was first run in 1947 and has been featured at Remington since 2006.

Sunday Sylence not only has a name similar to 1989 Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence, but she also will bring a speed index of 89 into the finale after running second in her trial for the Oklahoma Futurity.

Sunday Sylence made her career debut during the March 5 trials and finished second by a length to Jessa Beast, whose winning time of 15.32 seconds for the 300 yards made him the fastest qualifier for the Oklahoma Futurity. He earned a speed index of 94.

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Sunday Sylence was the fourth-fastest qualifier for the finale, with a time of 15.46. She will break from the rail, while Jessa Beast drew post 9.

Famous Coronas set the fastest qualifying time for the Oklahoma Derby, when he won his trial for the 350-yard race in 17.38. Justin Klaiber was aboard and again has the mount for the finale from post 2. Eddie Willis, who is a 12-time title winner at Remington, trains Famous Coronas for Zynda Racing.

There was a shake for the 10th spot in the Oklahoma Derby as Jesst for Speed and Sabbatical Jess tied in their trials for the 10th fastest time of 17.53. Jesst for Speed won the shake and will start from post 1.

In other stakes, Relentlessly goes in the Grade 2, $50,000 Eastex over 350 yards. Last year, he won the Heritage Place Derby at Remington.

◗ Valiant Stars, who was second in last year’s Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby won by Empressum, enters the $50,000 Decketta for fillies and mares at 350 yards off a Feb. 19 allowance win at Sunland. Her rivals include Pops First Lady, who was third in the Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby won by Empressum on Nov. 27 at Lone Star Park.

◗ Reef Ridge will have to overcome the rail post to win for the second time since his debut in the $50,000 Oklahoma Juvenile. He won his trial from the 10-hole on March 5 at Remington. The field of 10 includes the fillies Angel 937, Scorpian Candy, and A Revenant Lady.