A weekend of racing at Remington Park in Oklahoma was highlighted by the world’s richest Paint race—the 2026 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity for 2-year-olds—and its sister contest, the Speedhorse Graham Stakes for 3-year-olds. The much-anticipated races didn’t disappoint, with MW Bcause Im Alive capturing the futurity win by a nose.
2026 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity
No one thought Big Rotney could be beaten after he won the first five races of his career, but it happened Saturday, May 30, at Remington Park in the world’s richest mixed-breed race–the Grade 1 $230,243 Speedhorse Graham Paint and Appaloosa Futurity–as MW Bcause Im Alive was on top.
In retrospect, the connections of MW Bcause Im Alive were all about their chances of pulling off the upset.
“Yes, sir, I thought we could beat Big Rotney,” said jockey Christian Cardenas, who booted home MW Bcause Im Alive (pictured above).
The big question after the race, however, was whether he thought MW Bcause Im Alive beat Chilinator as those two horses came together like conjoined twins in a tight photo finish.
“Panchito (Francisco Calderon, aboard runner-up Chilinator) looked over and looked at me and said, ‘Hey, did I get you?’ And I said, ‘No, I don’t think so. I think we got it,’ ” Christian said.
After a couple of tension-filled minutes, the numbers popped up on the giant TV screen in the infield and they said 10-4-8-2, with the 10-horse being MW Bcause Im Alive. Chilinator (5-1) was second and the best Big Rotney could do as the 9-5 second betting favorite was finish seventh in the field of eight. MW Bcause Im Alive was liked so much by his connections and his followers that he was bet down to be the favorite in the late going and went off at 8-5 odds, slightly better than Big Rotney.
Still, trainer James J. Gonzales III wasn’t sure if his jockey was right about winning.
“I told all the grooms and all the assistants it was a hell of a race, to be happy no matter what and be proud of what we’ve done,” James said. “But I really thought we lost, to tell you the truth. Horse races can be deceiving, though. It does some weird things. Thank God they hung the 10 (his horse’s number first).”
MW Bcause Im Alive is a 2024 sorrel solid stallion by Cause Im a Hero (QH) and out of the CRM Livewire mare Pistol Grippin Gal. Winning by the slimmest of noses when all was sorted out, he stopped the timer in :17.867 for 350 yards over a fast track, earning a speed index of 82, same as the runner-up. Dulce Dinero finished third, another three-quarters of a length back.
”You know, I’ve always liked this little horse,” Christian said. “I started him at the ranch and he always showed potential. The first futurity that we ran, we had a little quirk. He didn’t have the best race, so we ran him back in a stakes race and it wasn’t the best again. Trial race, he ran a perfect race, and today he did it again. It was awesome. I was never surprised; I always expected this horse to be where he was today and thank God we got the job done.”
MW Bcause Im Alive earned $87,932 from the purse and improved lifetime record of 5-3-1-0 and $104,992. Bred by James and Wendy Howard of Wayne, Oklahoma, he is owned by Haus Of Hero of Paoli, Oklahoma.
2026 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Stakes
Jockey Roman Cruz got Champions Night kicked off at Remington Park on May 30 by bringing more drama to the race for leading rider, winning the first race of the day aboard Cuz Eyema Cowboy Baby in the Grade 1 $20,000 Speedhorse Graham Paint and Appaloosa Stakes.
Cuz Eyema Cowboy Baby is a 2023 sorrel solid gelding by Flying Cowboy 123 (QH) and out Cuz Eyema Livewire. He covered the distance in :17.659 on the fast track to earn an 88 speed index. It was the fifth win in 12 starts for this gelding, who is trained by Jesus Ruiz and owned by Gary and Charity Hensley of Coalgate, Oklahoma. He earned $11,640 from the purse and improved lifetime to 12-5-4-1, for earnings of $88,526. Cuz Eyema Cowboy Baby was bred by his owners.
The Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Stakes is for 3-year-olds. The entire field of eight consisted of Paint Horses.
Edited press releases by Remington Park/Richard Linihan
Credit: Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park
##
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.