Remington Park Futurity Qualifiers

Mr Apollo Jess on Saturday posted the fastest overall qualifying time to the April 17, $926,500 Remington Park Futurity (RG1) for Oklahoma-breds.

Racing in the fourth of 10 330-yard trials, Mr Apollo Jess defeated fifth-fastest overall qualifier Nash Ridge by 1 3/4 lengths in :16.831 against a reported 9-mph head wind. Juan Pulido rode the sorrel son of world champion Apollitical Jess for owner Zitro Racing Corp. of Forney, Texas, and trainer Kelly Heltzel.

Mr Apollo Jess was bred by Rancho El Cabresto Inc., and he was purchased by Pedro Ortiz for $115,000 at last year's Heritage Place Yearling Sale. The colt is out of the graded stakes winning First Down Dash mare A Delightful Legacy, and he is a half brother to champion Inseperable.

Mr Apollo Jess has won both of his outs and has earned $21,774.

Efrain Mendez's Em High Country set Saturday's second-fastest qualifying time and the fourth-fastest overall qualifying time. Ridden by Francisco Calderon for trainer Tammy Johnson, the gray homebred son of Docs Best Card won the second heat by three-quarters of a length in :17.088.

Em High Country was making his career debut. The gelding is out of Johns Party Girl, a stakes-winning Mr Eye Opener mare and runner-up in the 2000 Black Gold Futurity Championship (RG3) at Blue Ribbon Downs.

Mark and Annette McCloy's Especially Jess was the fastest qualifier from Friday's 10 heats, and the second-fastest overall qualifier.

Click here for a complete list of qualifiers. Click here for a complete list of qualifiers to the April 17, $100,000 Remington Park Juvenile Invitational Stakes.

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