OKLAHOMA CITY – When the field for Oklahoma, and Remington Park’s, richest race was loaded into the starting gate, Fall Classic decided to rear up in the gate and look out from above the doors. Once the assistant starter and jockey Christian Cardenas had the 2-year-old back on his feet and facing down the track, he was all business for the $1,158,940 Heritage Place Futurity.
When the starting gate doors opened for the Grade 1 race for 2-year-olds who qualified in trials on May 7 & 8, Fall Classic launched into action and never looked back. Cardenas had the gelding immediately on the lead and he stayed on the front throughout the 350 yards, hitting the finish a head better than runner-up El Huracano V.
Fall Classic gave trainer James. J. Gonzales his second win in the Heritage Place Futurity. He won his first with Kempton in 2024. His was elated with the performance of Fall Classic who made all the hard work in training worth it, even if he was not the easiest young 2-year-old to work with starting out.
“Unreal night, any time you get the chance to participate in races like this it is an unreal feeling and to win them, it is way different,” said Gonzales III. “At the end of the day, this is why we do this, for feelings like this.
“He always showed glimpses of talent but he was a colt and didn’t really want to pay attention. So we did a little brain surgery to him (gelded him), he just really flipped the switch and he’s never looked back. He’s turned into a phenomenal horse and now he’s a Grade 1 winner.”
Fall Classic ups his record to a perfect three wins from three starts. The first-place check from the Heritage Place Futurity of $486,755 moves his total earnings to $508,970.
Fall Classic is owned by Christopher Villatoro of Crandall, Texas and was purchased at the 2025 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale for $47,000. He is a gelding by Cyber Monday from the Mr Jess Perry broodmare lady Bellaqua. Fall Classic was bred in Missouri by Jim Streelman and Bill Dale.
Fall Classic handled the 350 yards in :17.738 over the fast track, for a speed index of 86. This was the first Heritage Place Futurity win for Cardenas and owner Villatoro.
The even-money wagering favorite, Fall Classic paid $4 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.60 to show. El Huracano V (4-1 odds) was second and paid $4.80 to place and $4 to show. One Fancy Cowboy (10-1) was a nose behind the runner-up and paid $5.80 to show.
The remaining order of the Heritage Place Futurity after the top three was: Demarus (5-1) fourth; Curls Favorite Jet (7-1) fifth; Bett The Limit (8-1) sixth; Kiss My Nine Eleven (23-1) seventh; Ivorys Version (41-1) eighth and Light Her Up (40-1) ninth.
•••••
Remington Park has provided more than $411 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. The 2026 Thoroughbred Season at Remington Park will begin on August 21. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.