The latest episode of The Money Barrel takes listeners inside one of the most talked-about moments of the 2025 Better Barrel Futurity: Jordan Harrell’s $100,000 BFA Super Stakes win aboard OE Bachelor Pad, owned by Leslie and Jason Willis.
In the episode, Harrell and Willis walk through the lead-up to the “$uper $takes,” the challenges surrounding the event, and the partnership that came together behind the 2022 gelding by Flingin Roses.
Navigating a High-Stakes Night
Harrell entered the Super Stakes riding a colt making his first official competition run in November, in the middle of a week already clouded by uncertainty as the EHV-1 situation unfolded across the industry.
“There was a lot going on that day,” Harrell said. “I wasn’t just thinking about the run — I was thinking about horse safety, whether the event would continue, and making the best decisions for the horses.”
When it came time to run, Harrell said her focus narrowed to the basics. OE Bachelor Pad delivered a smooth, efficient trip through the pattern and stopped the clock fast enough to hold the lead through the remainder of the round.
“When he makes his best runs, it doesn’t feel rushed,” she said. “It feels easy.”
Owner’s POV
For Willis, the Super Stakes marked her first time experiencing the event strictly as an owner following a brutal 2025 horse accident.
A three-time $uper$takes winner herself, Willis said watching from the stands brought a different kind of pressure.
“When you’re riding, you feel like you have some control,” Willis said. “Watching, you’re just hoping everything goes right.”
OE Bachelor Pad — a son of Flingin Roses out of FC Strait Cajun by Strait Dallas Fuel — was one Willis had earmarked early as a $uper$takes prospect.
“We knew he could run,” she said. “At that point, you just let them go do their job.”
Building the Right Match
Harrell’s role as jockey came together naturally as Willis placed horses with riders following her accident. Harrell’s background riding race-bred horses made her a good fit for OE Bachelor Pad’s style.
“She understands those horses,” Willis said. “That made a big difference.”
The episode also touches on how exhibition runs, communication, and patience helped confirm OE Bachelor Pad as the right Super Stakes horse as the futurity season progressed.
A Milestone Win
The victory marked the first BFA Super Stakes win for a son of Flingin Roses and capped off a week filled with uncertainty, preparation, and trust between rider and owner.
“(OE Bachelor Pad) just did what we believed he could do,” Willis said. “That’s all you can ask of a horse.”
Listeners can hear the full conversation — including behind-the-scenes insight from both Harrell and Willis — in the complete episode of The Money Barrel.
Presented by Tuxon Ranch
This episode of The Money Barrel is presented by Tuxon Ranch, a full-service equine facility located just outside of Durango, Colorado. Tuxon Ranch offers comprehensive care for performance horses at every stage, including rehabilitation and conditioning programs with therapies such as a water treadmill and solarium, along with professional breeding and mare care services. On-site veterinary support is provided through Centennial Equine, which operates an outpatient facility at the ranch offering advanced diagnostics and lameness evaluations, allowing horses to be examined and treated without leaving the property. In addition to rehabilitation and breeding services, Tuxon Ranch also offers long-term boarding and arena rentals for haul-in riding and equine events. Together, Tuxon Ranch and Centennial Equine provide an integrated approach to equine care focused on long-term soundness, performance, and recovery.