When you've got a name like Handin Out Candy, you'd better deliver—and this 7-year-old gelding is doing exactly that, sweet win after sweet win.
On Saturday, May 2, at Remington Park, the even-money favorite did what he does best: hand out another victory. This time, it was in the $51,360 Pauls Valley Stakes, covering 870 yards and making it seven straight wins for owner Emilio Perez of Arlington, Texas.
Jockey James Flores, taking the reins for the first time in place of regular rider Omar Iturralde, had the best seat in the house. "It was an easy trip," Flores said. "He is such a professional and just does his thing every time. I can't say I had much to do with it. He showed he can run."
And run he does—especially impressive given his size. Handin Out Candy tipped the scales at a whopping 1,332 pounds on race day. For context, the fourth-place finisher and former Remington Park distance champion, O Donovan Rossa, weighed in at just 1,051 pounds. It's a reminder that in horse racing, power and precision often go hand in hand.
This victory marks the second straight stakes win at Remington Park for Handin Out Candy, following a 2¾-length triumph in the Grade 2 Remington Park Distance Challenge on March 28. Saturday's winning margin was three-quarters of a length over a competitive field, with Wynnchester (9-2) taking second and Cash Back Hero (8-1) rounding out the top three.
The streak didn't start overnight. It began July 31, 2025, at Retama Park near San Antonio, Texas, with an allowance race win. From there, he captured the Distance Challenge Stakes at the Downs at Albuquerque in September, followed by the Grade 1 Distance Challenge Championship at the same track. After a win in the King Rick Rack Stakes at Zia Park in New Mexico on Dec. 14, he took a well-deserved break. Now, in 2026, he's 3-for-3 at Remington Park.
Saturday's win added $29,400 to his career earnings, bringing his total to $350,190. In 39 starts, the Alabama-bred son of Jess Good Candy (out of the Dash Ta Fame mare Ole Auntie Em) now has 12 wins, nine seconds, and three thirds. Bred by Paris Wixon, he was a bargain $20,000 purchase from the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale in 2020.
Handin Out Candy paid $4.20 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.20 to show, stopping the clock at :45.189 on a fast track with a speed index of 95. Behind the top three, the order of finish was: O Donovan Rossa (3-1) fourth, Rock Ya Later (22-1) fifth, Mister Lights Out (9-1) sixth, and Chickn Hock (10-1) seventh. Into the Lite scratched.
Owner Emilio Perez is already looking ahead. "I just want to thank God and everyone that supports me, this horse and the team," he said. "We will keep him here for the Distance Championship on closing night and then take him to Albuquerque, then to Retama and Hobbs (Zia Park)."
For a horse that's been handing out candy—and wins—so generously, the road ahead looks just as sweet.