Page 106 - May2020.indd

RACING NEWS
Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby-RG2
FERNWEH
by Tracy Gantz
Fernweh is proof that giving a horse time when needed can pay off. The filly had a perfect two-for-two season at two in 2019, but
when she wasn’t 100%, her connections put her away for the year.
Fernweh returned in 2020 to remain undefeated by winning the $268,700 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby-RG2 on April 18.
In taking the rich event, Fernweh also handed 2019 All American Futurity-G1 winner Mr Jess Jenkins his first loss in nine months. It was a
big accomplishment for a filly who cost only $20,000 at the 2018 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.
Trainer Blane Wood attended that sale for clients that included Rusty Allred of Graham, Texas. Wood found Fernweh for Allred.
“Rusty sent me there to buy a couple,” Wood said. “I wish I could buy a truckload like her for that much.”
Wood began training Fernweh for Allred at the family ranch in Lubbock, Texas. Jockey Ricky Ramirez was impressed from the first time he rode the filly there, and he has been aboard in all four of her starts.
Fernweh debuted in her trial for the 2019 Ruidoso Futurity-G1, qualifying the fastest and then annexing the $1 million final.
boosted her total lifetime earnings to $541,118, and her record is now a perfect 4-for-4.
Allred, Wood, and Ramirez all were win- ning their first Remington Park Oklahoma- Bred Derby. Wood was philosophical about
defeating an All American Futurity winner.
“Yeah, I know how
that feels,” he said. “They beat mine earlier tonight. All American winners are like the Super Bowl champi- ons. Everyone wants to
beat you.”
Wood also trains Apocalyptical Jess, the 2018 All American winner, who lost in the Sooner State Stakes earlier on the card.
Ruidoso may be next for Fernweh, though Wood said that the Heritage
Place Derby was a possibility.
“With this coronavirus situation, you
never know what you’re going to do next,” said the trainer. “We’re all just waiting to see what the governors of each state are doing. We are just thankful that Remington Park
104 SPEEDHORSE May 2020
“She had some small chips in her knees after winning the Ruidoso,” said Wood. “We thought so much of her that we backed off and let her rest. We just had to take care of her. We wanted her 100%.”
That meant skipping the Rainbow Futurity-G1 and All
American Futurity-G1,
but surgery and rest gave
Fernweh what she needed. She returned April 5 for her Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby-RG2 trial, scor- ing by 1 3/4-lengths and qualifying the fastest.
In the final, Fernweh went off a narrow 8-5 favorite over second-fastest qualifier Mr Jess Jenkins at 9-5.
Fernweh and Mr Jess
Jenkins had to battle far
apart from each other when the filly drew the 9 post and the gelding drew the rail. That didn’t faze Fernweh, who broke well and received every call. She completed 400 yards in :19.747 while winning by a 1/2-length and posting an 89 speed index. The $107,480 winner’s share of the purse
Remington Park $268,700 • 400 yards :19.747 • si 89
Favorite Trick TB
Favorite Cartel
Shenoshercorona
FERNWEH, ‘17-f.
Mr Jess Perry
Jess A Lil Bit More
Sheza Lilbituino
Fernweh and jockey Ricky Ramirez win the $268,700 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby-RG2 by 1/2-length
Dustin Orona Photography