The 2025 Retama Park Quarter Horse live racing season concluded on Saturday, August 16, closing out a successful meet for horsemen and fans alike. The track once again combined competitive racing with fan-friendly promotions throughout the meet, drawing crowds to enjoy camel and ostrich races, Family Fun Night, the City of Selma’s Fireworks Show, the Americus Diamonds “Diamond Dig,” Wiener Dog Races, Military Thursdays, live entertainment, and more.
The annual TQHA Yearling Sale on July 25-26, held alongside the meet’s richest race, the $620,000 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1), further strengthened attendance and engagement throughout the season.
For the 2025 season as a whole, Retama Park’s live wagering on-track rose 2.3 percent compared to 2024. Export wagering through off-track outlets climbed 6.0 percent from last year, reflecting growth in outside participation; however, attendance numbers dipped slightly from the record-setting crowd totals of 2024. Vice President and General Manager Bryan Pettigrew noted, “The meet still held strong despite the challenges of road construction near the track and the loss of the July 4 program due to inclement weather.”
Closing weekend highlighted the upward trend in wagering, with Saturday’s program producing $194,954 in on-track handle—the highest since 2011 and the fourth-largest in track history. A crowd of 5,320 turned out for the festive evening, which blended Quarter Horse racing with the ever-popular Wiener Dog Races.
Between the horse races, six heats of Wiener Dog trials were contested, which ended in a $500 cash prize final won by Corny, whose owner credited the victory by saying, “It’s all about the squeaker.” He added that he hopes to return with Corny for next year’s competition.
The final two nights of the meet featured a strong lineup of stakes competition. On Friday, the $40,710 Texas Arabian Derby-G2 was followed by the $54,978 AQHA Retama Championship Challenge-G3. Saturday’s card began with the $30,237 Colors Of the Wind Paint and Appaloosa Maturity and $61,590 Colors Of the Wind Paint and Appaloosa Futurity; ending with the $223,000 TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity-RG2, and the $110,000 TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby.
The meet closed with the announcement of the season’s leaders. Jimenas Ranch claimed leading owner honors with six wins from 14 starters, edging Three Bar T Quarter Horses, who finished with five victories from only eight starts.
Trainer Raul Ramirez, who accepted the award on behalf of Jimenas Ranch, said, “I’m very proud to receive this award, especially because it’s for my owners, who won the Retama Park Derby. We came in with a goal — we didn’t expect it — but we gave our best, and in the end we achieved it.”
In the trainers’ race, Jose Sanchez prevailed with 12 wins from 56 starters, finishing four ahead of Roberto Madrigal and John Stinebaugh, who tied for second with eight wins apiece.
“Five years ago, I was fortunate to be the leading trainer at Lone Star Park. I thank God for blessing me with this opportunity, and I’m grateful to my entire team, the owners, and everyone who has supported me along the way. Because of them, we are where we are today,” stated Sanchez.
Jockey Nestor Duran was crowned leading jockey with 27 wins from 106 mounts and earned more than $463,000 in purses, edging Eddie Sanchez’s 22 victories.
On the Arabian side, Jernesto Torres led all trainers with six wins, while Nicole and Andre Ruggeri shared the leading owner title with Rosebrook Farms, last year’s champion, as each stable finished with five wins.
Racing Secretary Mike Acton summed up the season by saying, “The 2025 Retama Park meet had its challenges and rewards. A huge thanks to our horsemen and women who make racing great here in Selma, Texas.”
FRIDAY STAKES RACING RECAP
$54,978 AQHA Racing Championship Challenge Stakes-G3
Multiple stakes winner As Moonflash won the $54,978 AQHA Racing Championship Challenge Stakes-G3 and secured a coveted berth to the $350,000-est. AQHA Challenge Championship-G1 to be contested on October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque on AQHA Challenge Championship Night.
Breaking sharply under jockey Nestor Duran, As Moonflash surged to the lead early and widened her advantage late, crossing the wire 1¾ lengths clear in a swift 21.934 seconds, earning a 103 speed index.
Owned by Marisol Alvarado and trained by Heber Deyta-Melendez, the 4-year-old bay filly is by champion First Moonflash and out of As And Js by Apollitical Jess. She was bred in Oklahoma by Leonardo Alcala.
The victory was worth $30,788, boosting her career earnings to $112,529 and confirming her status among the Challenge program’s top aged horses.
Runner-up honors went to Relentless Eagle, ridden by Christina Ramos. George P. Mitchell II bred the 4-year-old son of Hes Relentless in Oklahoma out of Volcoms Delight by Volcom. Trained by Marc Jungers, the multiple graded stakes winner has $320,580 for owner Lance Bland.
A $100,000 purchase at the 2022 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Relentless Eagle added more depth to his resume with a solid second-place effort. Last season, he won four consecutive races at Lone Star Park, including the coveted Texas Classic Derby(G1) and the Dash For Cash Derby(G2).
Third went to Tyger King, a 5-year-old stallion by Apollitical Jess and out of Cruzin The Wagon by Pyc Paint Your Wagon, bred in Oklahoma by Reliance Ranches LLC. Ridden by Luis Vivanco for trainer Yasmine Medina and owner Tabasco Racing LLC, he finished 4-3/4 lengths behind the runner-up. An earner of $134,200 in 25 career starts, he was a $150,000 purchase at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.
Jess Hylee Redeemed completed the field in fourth.
$40,710 Texas Arabian Derby-G2
Triumph AA, under jockey Ali Rivera, surged late to win his first career stakes victory in the $40,710 Texas Arabian Derby (G2). The 4-year-old son of Burning Sand earned the win for owners Nicole and Andre Ruggeri, who were named as Retama Park’s 2025 leading co-owners of the meet. Bred in Mississippi by Joseph and Betty Gillis, the gelding is out of Triumphs Silkie by Seyvilla Triumph.
Breaking from post one, Triumph AA settled off the pace before rallying three wide through the stretch to nail heavy favorite RB Boyfrynd at the wire. The upset returned $16.60 on a $2 win ticket. Final time for the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track was 1:59.81. Trained by Nicole Ruggeri, the victory improved his record to three wins in nine career starts, with earnings of $47,019.
RB Boyfrynd finished second after taking command in the upper stretch, while Farfales A Far faded to third after setting the early fractions.
SATURDAY STAKES RACING RECAP
$223,000 TQHA Sires Cup Futurity-RG2
Di Kvn Waven captured her second graded stakes victory of her freshman campaign with an impressive performance in the $223,000 TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity-RG2.
Breaking first from the gates, the filly quickly separated herself from the field and led the 350-yard race wire to wire. Under jockey Oliver Martinez, the daughter of leading sire Kvn Corona posted a 96 speed index into a 12 mph headwind, stopping the clock in 17.793 seconds. Her commanding 2 ¼-length upset returned $11.40 to win at odds of 9-2.
“It took a lot of thought and asking for advice, but we made it through. It wasn’t easy, but thank God it all came together,” Martinez said after the victory.
The winner’s circle overflowed with celebration, so much so that the group photo had to be taken on the racetrack. The gathering included trainer Carlos Camarena, who conditions Di Kvn Waven for owner Refugio Alvarado. “Taking care of our team is the most important part of winning, and then after that, just hoping for a clean break,” said Camarena.
Di Kvn Waven now boasts an outstanding record of four wins and one second from five career starts. Her only defeat came in the futurity trials, where she posted the sixth-fastest qualifying time. She broke her maiden earlier this season with the fastest qualifying time to the Louisiana Downs Futurity (G2) and returned to win the final. Saturday’s Futurity added $89,690 to her bankroll, boosting lifetime earnings to $256,645.
Bred in Texas by Jacobo Garza, Di Kvn Waven is out of the Mr Piloto mare Waven By Piloto. She was a $24,000 purchase at last year’s TQHA Yearling Sale—now proving a bargain as a two-time graded stakes winner.
Runner-up Won Salty Corona, also a son of Kvn Corona, finished second under jockey Francisco Calderon for trainer Leonel Hernandez and owner DCH Racing, LLC. The gelding was bred by Leann Burns and Stone Chase Stables in Oklahoma out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Won Way Street. He has compiled a record of 1-3-1 from six starts and earned $54,011.
Fire Chilitos earned his first black type with a third-place finish under Luis Vivanco. The son of leading sophomore sire Chilitos has one win in five starts and $35,191 in earnings. Bred and owned in Texas by Jose Luis Ozuna, Fire Chilitos is out of Fire Falls by Walk Thru Fire and trained by Jorge Muniz.
Prize Time Lelo, The Valiant Flame, Karma Cha Ching, and Texana Eagle 747 completed the order of finish.
$110,000 TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby
The fastest qualifier, Eagles Up, delivered a driving finish to the wire, capturing his first career stakes victory in the $110,000 Sires’ Cup Derby. He prevailed by a head over Rios Dashing Spirit in the 400-yard feature.
The sorrel colt, ridden by jockey Luis Vivanco, stopped the timer in 20.199 seconds, earning a 95 speed index. Vivanco scored a riding triple on Saturday’s card, more than any other jockey.
Bred in Louisiana by Jumonville Farms, Eagles Up is the son of leading sire One Famous Eagle out of U R Blue, by Walk Thru Fire. Owned by Mario H. Vazquez and Jumonville Farms, he was a $75,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Mixed Sale.
Trained by Jose Sanchez, Eagles Up placed second in the EVD Futurity(G2) last season and third in the Sam Houston Derby(G3) in June.. With this victory, Eagles Up banked $44,000, bringing his earnings to $156,743 for his connections.
Runner-up Rios Dashing Spirit, a bay filly by Apollitical Spirit, turned in a game effort under jockey Francisco Calderon for owner/breeder BM AQ Racing LLC. Trained by Paul Leal, she earned $22,000 for the second-place finish, bringing her bankroll total to $64,238. She is out of Rios Dashing Patty, by Heza Fast Dash.
Finishing third was Flirtacious Showboat, under the guidance of Raul Hernandez, Jr. The daughter of Kiss My Hocks is owned by Tyler and Naia Graham and trained by Marc Jungers. Bred in Oklahoma by Marty & Shalia Powers out of Splish Splash, by Ivory James, she sold for $40,000 at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. She also placed third in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity-RG1 and has earned $137,937 in seven career starts.
Dm Chasing Money (4th), Standout (5th), Flyin Chilitos (6th), Jds Roustabout (7th), Tres Wines (8th), and Custom Maid Miss (9th) completed the order of finish. Marfalous was scratched.
$61,590 Colors of the Alamo Paint and Appaloosa Futurity
Jackson Davis 747 earned his second career stakes victory on Saturday, taking the $61,590 Colors of the Alamo Paint and Appaloosa Futurity. Breaking sixth from the gate under Ruben Delarosa Jr., the gray colt quickly found his stride and surged at the first call, driving to the wire with a determined finish to score by a half-length over VP Dash For Texas. The son of leading APHA sophomore sire Chilitos stopped the clock in 18.061 seconds, posting an 88 speed index. The minor upset returned $11.40 to win at 9-2 odds.
Trained by Manuel Roman for owners Val Gonzalez and Tonya Trower, Jackson Davis 747 has now won three of six career starts. His resume includes last month’s TPHBA Paint Horse Juvenile Stakes victory and a finalist appearance in the Colors of Houston Futurity (G2).
“We gave him a lot of special attention during the last two weeks in preparation for this race, taking care of him and making sure he was healthy during his workout, completing his normal routine,” Manuel Roman said following the victory.
Bred in Texas by Courtney Watson, Jackson Davis 747 is out of Shes A Cartel Girl by The Louisiana Cartel. His breeders and owners were all present for the trophy presentation. Speaking for the group, Val Gonzalez shared, “We really appreciate everyone. It’s truly just amazing to have a horse like this.”
Vp Dash For Texas once again had to settle for runner-up honors behind his familiar rival. Coming off a second-place effort to Jackson Davis 747 in the TPHBA Paint Horse Juvenile Stakes, the son of Pyc Prize Time was ridden by Alejandro Ochoa. Trained by Alex Villarreal for owner/breeder Victor Villarreal, the Texas-bred gelding is out of Gw Money Dash by Dr Beduino. He has now banked $16,025 in his career.
I Do Not Recall, piloted by Froylan Tellez Ramirez, finished third. The son of Chilitos remains a maiden from two starts. Trainer Brittany Tellez saddled the brown gelding for owner Damika Burton. Douglas McMullen bred him in Texas, out of Fly Lil Curl by Spit Curl Jess.
Rounding out the field were Go Zippalitas, Mrs Pyc Painted Nova, Sinnin Hot Pepper, Miss Nely, and Chill Chill.
$30,237 Colors of the Alamo Paint and Appaloosa Maturity
It was a head-to-head duel in the first race of the evening, but V Golden Game put his nose down at the wire to win the $30,237 Colors of the Alamo Paint and Appaloosa Maturity.
Ridden by Victor Urieta, Jr., V Golden Game broke mid-pack and quickly dueled for the lead with Rosario Tijeras and Cowboy Heartbreak. The son of CRM Livewire surged late and prevailed by a head, stopping the clock in 17.955 seconds for 350 yards, good for a 91 speed index. He returned $8.00 to win on a $2 wager.
When asked about the race, Urieta said, “I know this horse well. This was my third time riding him, so I had a good idea of what he likes and doesn’t like. We had a plan, more or less. He broke good out of the gates. He hasn’t always broken that great in the past, but today he did. I think we have a really good horse.”
The $11,490 winner’s share boosted V Golden Game’s lifetime earnings to $86,725 and improved his record to 3-3-6 from 22 starts. Saturday’s victory marked his second stakes win of the year.
V Golden Game hadn’t visited the winner’s circle since his debut in 2023 until this season, when he won the Colors of Texas Paint Maturity Stakes (G2) in June. Over his career, he has been a finalist in ten different stakes races, including a third-place finish in the Olympia Joe Stakes (G1) and fourth-place finishes in the Oklahoma Paint & Appaloosa Futurity (G1), the Victoria Ennis Memorial Stakes (G1), and the Colors of the Wind Paint & Appaloosa Stakes.
Bred in Oklahoma by Aubrey Garcia, V Golden Game is out of Game Hi by Game Patriot. Raul Rodriguez, Jr. trains the four-year-old gelding for owner Oscar Rivera Cardona.
With Eddie Sanchez aboard, Rosario Tijeras showed early speed and led through the opening call but weakened late to finish second. Trained by Esteban Rubio, the daughter of Boknaai has compiled a record of 1-4-2 from nine starts with $22,925 in earnings. She is bred and owned by Sarah Huskey of Texas out of Tres Miracles by View Me Flying.
Breaking first from the gates, Cowboy Heartbreak, ridden by Nestor Duran, loomed early but came up short at the wire to finish third as the post-time favorite. The three-year-old has hit the board in 12 of 15 starts, recording five wins and earnings of $54,022. Owned and trained by Zackery Rios, Cowboy Heartbreak entered off a win in the G.C.F.A. Paint & Appaloosa Maturity last month. He was bred in Texas by Sandra Garnet and is by Boknaai out of Camo Cowgirl by Awesome Chrome.
The remaining order of finish was Frenchy, Fancy A Miracle, Moonpike, GG Queen Of The South, VP Wired To Win, and CRB Beauti.
