Retama Park capped off its most anticipated weekend of the meet on Saturday night with a robust 10-race card, headlined by a trio of Quarter Horse stakes events and anchored by the $620,000 restricted Grade 1 TQHA Sale Futurity—the second-richest purse in the race’s history since its inception in 1999.
The stakes portion of the evening began in Race 8 with the $50,300 TQHA Sale Juvenile Stakes, where Holy Guacamole surged to a convincing victory under jockey Nestor Duran. In Race 9, the $205,300 Retama Derby presented by Torchtree Bourbon delivered high drama with a head-bobbing photo finish between stablemates Apolitical Time and Nine One Won, both campaigned by Jimenas Ranch and trained by Raul Ramirez.
The program concluded with the much-anticipated $620,000 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1) in Race 10. Heavy wagering action centered around post-time favorite Eagle On A June Bug, but it was A Maverick, piloted by Claudio Aguilar, who stole the show with a surging finish from the inside. The thrilling photo finish gave A Maverick the edge, and trainer Yasmine Medina was handed her second win of the night.
On the jockey front, Victor Urieta, Jr. kicked off the card with back-to-back victories, scoring with Highh Class in the Arabian opener and returning in Race 2 with Jumpn Toltac. Nestor Duran joined the winners list with Berlin in Race 4 before adding his second win aboard Holy Guacamole in the TQHA Sale Juvenile Stakes. Claudio Aguilar also delivered a pair of wins, first in Race 5 with Ec Jazz in a dead heat, then sealing the night with A Maverick in the feature race.
Medina stood out as the only trainer with two wins on the evening. While no individual owner or breeder recorded multiple victories, Jimenas Ranch turned in a notable performance by finishing first and second in the Retama Derby.
Saturday’s crowd totaled 3,079, a slight dip from last year’s 3,153. The on-track wagering handle came in at $166,469, while off-track handle totaled $512,007, bringing the night’s combined wagering to $678,476. That marked a 6.3 percent decline from the same Saturday in 2024, when total handle reached $723,894.
Torchtree Bourbon, sponsor of the Retama Derby, added flair to the night with on-site wine and bourbon tastings throughout the facility. The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame and TQHA co-hosted the hospitality, contributing to a festive and fan-friendly atmosphere. Andrea Ramos, who conducted interviews throughout the evening, extended appreciation to David Pratt, founder of Torchtree Bourbon, for his support and presence.
Festivities brought a strong community presence to Saturday night’s card at Retama Park, featuring live music and fundraising efforts supporting flood victims in the Texas Hill Country. The Texas Horse Society’s San Antonio chapter—its young executives social group—was also in attendance. The group gathered in the winner’s circle following Race 5 to present the winning trophy, adding a fresh layer of networking and industry camaraderie.
As with Friday night, many attendees arrived at Retama Park following the final session of the TQHA Yearling Sale held at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall. The synergy between the sales and the racetrack fueled energy and enthusiasm throughout the weekend, helping Retama Park close out its signature weekend in memorable fashion.
FINAL HAMMER FALLS ON SATURDAY AS TQHA YEARLING SALE DRAWS TO A CLOSE
The 2025 TQHA Yearling Sale wrapped up Saturday with solid results and spirited bidding, despite a natural market decline following last year’s record highs. Over the two-day sale, 256 yearlings were sold from 413 offered, generating a healthy $5,828,800 in total sales.
The average price came in at $22,769, and the median settled at $13,000—both down from last year’s record-setting numbers of $25,505 and $15,750, respectively. Although demand was more selective, several six-figure yearlings still drew competitive attention.
On Day 1, the session was led by Hip 195 Kosta Browne, a colt by FDD Dynasty who brought $128,000 from Tungsten Racing Partnership. Consigned by Granada Farms, Agent for Tyler and Naia Graham, the colt is out of Ms Highmaitenance, making him a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Kiss My Maruska and stakes-placed Brock Landers. A total of 130 head were sold Friday from 205 offered, grossing $2,251,800 with an average of $17,322 and a median of $9,250. Other notable sales included Hip 86 Not A Little Deal, a Dealagame colt purchased by Rey Munoz for $100,000, and Hip 160 Eyema Special Eagle, by One Famous Eagle, sold for $97,000 to JLT Horse Racing. FDD Dynasty led all sires by average, with two sold for an $80,000 average.
Saturday’s Day 2 session posted stronger individual results, highlighted by Hip 294 Hezgettinpaid Z, a bay colt by Apollitical Jess who sold for $155,000 to Clark Brewster and Simmons Racing. The half-brother to All American Futurity (G1) winner Hezgotthelook Z was consigned by Robicheaux Ranch, Agent for Slash Z Quarter Horses. Hip 345 Pancho Bigotes, also by Apollitical Jess, brought $150,000 from MI Serenity LLC. Hip 331 Lord Baltimore, a Favorite Cartel colt out of Messynger, went to Jerry Deville Jr. for $120,000. Day 2 results included 126 yearlings sold from 208 offered, totaling $3,577,000, with a $28,381 average and $16,000 median. Apollitical Jess led all sires by average with three head averaging $121,667, followed by Favorite Cartel with a $101,000 average from two sold.
Leading buyers by gross included MI Serenity LLC and Jerry Deville Jr., each purchasing two head for $200,000. Jaime Cardenas followed with five yearlings totaling $175,000. Bielau Oaks, Agent was the top consignor with 24 head sold for $384,000, followed by Bobby D. Cox with eight head for $356,500, and Granada Farms with four head bringing $319,000.
Despite a softer overall market, the sale showed continued demand for individuals from proven families. Top-tier sires such as Apollitical Jess, Favorite Cartel, and FDD Dynasty once again delivered the sale’s highest prices. CLICK HERE for complete results on the TQHA website.
TRIPLE STAKES SHOWCASE RECAP
A MAVERICK CHARGES TO VICTORY IN $620,000 TQHA SALE FUTURITY (RG1)
A Maverick delivered a powerful finish under jockey Claudio Aguilar to capture the restricted Grade 1 $620,000 TQHA Sale Futurity, holding off a hard-charging field of juvenile Quarter Horses in a blanket finish.
The sorrel gelding by Champion A Revenant stopped the clock in 17.961 seconds over 350 yards with a 12-mph headwind, registering a 91 speed index over a fast track.
Bred in Texas by Triple K Farms, A Maverick is out of the First Down Dash mare Down Some Gold. He races for owner Jose Martin Ramirez Garcia and is conditioned by trainer Yasmine Medina.
“It’s just rewarding for all of us—the whole team—from the grooms to the owners to Javi, who purchased the horse,” Medina said. “It’s just all-around excitement for everybody.”
A $24,000 purchase at the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale, A Maverick earned $275,900 for the win and boosted his standing among the season’s top 2-year-olds. The victory came dramatically as he edged out his rivals by a head in a driving finish that had the crowd roaring at Retama.
Earlier this year, A Maverick finished fifth in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity. He has three wins from six starts and $333,360 in the bank.
Second-place finisher, multiple graded stakes-placed Eagle On A June Bug, a sorrel gelding by Eagles Fly Higher out of Sandy June Bug, by Blushing Bug, also earned a 91 speed index, finishing just a head behind.
Bred by Robert T. Moudy III, Eagle On A June Bug was purchased for $20,000 at the 2024 TQHA Sale and is owned by Sergio Jimenez and Enrique Santollo.
Trained by Victor Oviedo and ridden by Javier Hernandez, the gelding showed late acceleration to secure the $136,400 runner-up share. Also, second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity in March, he has earned $204,316 in four starts.
Wera C, a stakes-winning Flying Cowboy 123 filly out of the One Dashing Eagle mare Pillow Talk, crossed the wire third just a neck behind the runner-up. The Ellis H. ‘Hank’ Bird-bred filly was a $73,000 TQHA Sale graduate and is campaigned by CH Horse Racing, LLC.
Trained by Patrick Clemons and ridden by J. Garcia, Wera C added $68,200 to her earnings for the effort after pressing the leaders and fighting gamely to the wire. Wera C won the Oklahoma Juvenile Stakes at Remington Park in March and has amassed $101,679 in five starts this season.
A Maverick paid $11.00 to win, $5.00 to place, and $3.80 to show. Eagle On a June Bug returned $3.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Wera C paid $3.20 to show.
Also competing in the final were Tossin And Turnin (4th), Cliff Runner (5th), Brother Gaga (6th), Efforts Cartel (7th), La Chuchy (8th), Shiny Cowgirl (9th), and I B A Big Girl ( was DQ’d from 6th and placed 10th).
Apolitical Time surged to victory by a head in a thrilling finish Saturday night in the $205,300 Retama Park Derby presented by Torchtree Bourbon, outdueling stablemate Nine One Won in a race that left onlookers holding their breath.
JIMENAS RANCH RUNS 1-2 IN $205,300 RETAMA PARK DERBY PRESENTED BY TORCHTREE BOURBON WITH APOLITICAL TIME AND NINE ONE WON
The two stablemates—both trained by Raul Ramirez and owned by Jimenas Ranch—hit the wire together in a dramatic conclusion to the 400-yard event for 3-year-old Quarter Horses. The win was especially sweet for Apolitical Time, who was overlooked at the windows but delivered the biggest moment of his career with a final time of 20.151 seconds and a 96 speed index.
Nine One Won had the lead from the start and looked like the winner for most of the stretch, but Apolitical Time, under a perfectly timed ride from Esgar Ramirez, clawed his way to the front in the final jumps. The bay colt broke strongly from post 3 and stayed locked in a duel with his barnmate before inching ahead at the wire.
The win was exciting for Esgar Ramirez, who had been sidelined for the past six months recovering from injury. “I always liked this horse,” he said. “I kept telling my brother, Raul, that Apolitical Time had something special. I wanted this ride and he didn’t let me down.”
Ridden by Raul Hernandez Jr., Nine One Won posted a final time of 20.161 seconds with the same 96 speed index. The two turned the tote board upside down—Apolitical Time went off at 18-1 and paid $24.60 to win while Nine One Won, at 11-1, returned $15.80 to place. The $2 exacta paid a generous $168.80.
For owner Emilio of Jimenas Ranch, the 1-2 finish was a moment of pure celebration. “We just came in and hoped to win,” Emilio said. “Thanks to Raul and Esgar, we pulled it off.”
It was a breakthrough moment for Apolitical Time, who began his 3-year-old campaign still a maiden. Bred in Oklahoma by Flag Ranch LLC, the son of Apollitical Jess was purchased for $87,000 at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. He is out of Breitling Time, by Fishers Dash.
After cashing in the $82,120 winner’s share of the purse, Apolitical Time has now earned $145,099 from 14 starts, with 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds. Earlier this year, he ran third in the Oklahoma Derby (G3), won a maiden race in April, and was sixth in the Heritage Place Derby (G2). Saturday’s win was his first stakes score—and easily his most impressive.
Nine One Won has been as consistent as they come. The sorrel gelding by Tempting Dash is out of Not My Choice, by Jody O Toole, and was bred in Texas by Cindi M. Keeton. With Saturday’s runner-up check of $41,060, his career earnings now total $151,818.
He previously placed third in the Heritage Place Derby (G2) and fifth in the Oklahoma Derby (G3), and was a Dash For Cash Juvenile finalist as a freshman. He now owns 5 wins, 3 seconds, and 6 thirds from 17 starts.
Dr Pepper 123, the fastest qualifier in the trials and a betting favorite, lost all chance at the break when pinched back, but showed grit to close late under Noe Villatoro for third. The chestnut gelding by Chilitos finished in 20.316 seconds for a 92 speed index.
Owned and bred by Mary Lou Zoeller and trained by J. Plunkett, he is out of My Glory Dash, by Shazooms Glory Dash. With $20,530 added to his earnings, his total now stands at $163,455 from 8 starts, including a Grade 3 win in the Sam Houston Derby earlier this summer.
The post-time favorite, Dk Marney Jess, came in with 10 wins from 14 starts and two Grade 2 titles, but after bumping at the start, she flattened out and finished fourth in 20.448 seconds. Rounding out the field were This Eagles Armed (5th), Who Wants Too Fancy (6th), Monty Cristo (7th), Texas Temper (8th), and Valiente Stone (9th). El Senador Tequila was scratched at the gate.
HOLY GUACAMOLEE TAKES $50,300 TQHA SALE JUVENILE STAKES IN NECK VICTORY
Holy Guacamolee surged to a determined neck victory in the $50,300 TQHA Sale Juvenile Stakes, capturing the 350-yard dash for 2-year-old Quarter Horses who did not qualify for the TQHA Sale Futurity.
The bay gelding by second-crop sire Chilitos out of So Into You, by Oak Tree Special, dug in late under jockey Nestor Duran to fend off a relentless charge from Texas Pharaoh and Relentless Dasher.
“At 50 yards, I knew we had it,” Duran said. “I was a little worried about breaking out of the gate speed, but he broke good.”
Owned by Dunn Ranch and trained by Marco Chavez-Gutierrez, Holy Guacamolee stopped the timer in 18 seconds flat, earning a 90 speed index while battling a 12-mph headwind on a fast track.
“I was focused on getting the break a little bit sharper, Chavez-Gutierrez said after the race. “He’s a bigger horse—he doesn’t have much foot speed at 300 yards. But he broke today and got it done. We plan to take him back home, let him rest up, and see where it goes.”
The Texas-bred juvenile, bred by Jorge Haddad, earned $17,605 for the win in a driving finish after dueling throughout. It was his second career win in four starts, boosting his earnings to $26,667. He sold under the name Tammarindo in the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale for $38,000.
Texas Pharaoh, a $120,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate by champion Tempting Dash, finished a close second under Eddie Sanchez. Trainer Jose Sanchez conditioned the gelding out of Famous Eagle, by One Famous Eagle, for owner Michael G. Valenzuela.
The sorrel gelding bred by Mary G. Thompson showed determination, matching strides with the winner before yielding late to earn $14,084. Fourth in the April Grade 2 West Texas Futurity, Texas Pharaoh has banked $47,433 in four starts.
Another neck back in third was Relentless Dasher, a $40,000 purchase from the same 2024 sale. The sorrel colt by leading sire Kiss My Hocks out of Relentless Rose, by Hes Relentless, rallied strongly in the final yards under jockey Victor Urieta Jr. to earn $9,557 for owner Gerardo Rodriguez and trainer Bobby Pena.
Also, second in the Sam Houston Juvenile in June, Relentless Dasher is winless from six starts and has earned $31.027.
All three colts crossed the wire within a neck of one another in one of the most competitive finishes of the meet. Holy Guacamolee returned $6.00 to win, $3.00 to place, and $2.60 to show. Texas Pharaoh paid $3.00 to place and $2.40 to show. Relentless Dasher returned $3.80 to show.
Rounding out the field were Gainz in fourth, followed by What the Fog in fifth, Hock Your Kisses sixth, Litenin seventh, and Favorite Sin Tacha eighth. Chloes Man, Full Moon Desire, Shes Ec to Tempt, and Spott were scratched from the race.
RETAMA PARK 2025 PROMOTIONSThursday nights feature Military Appreciation (free admission for active and veteran military), and Friday nights include live local bands. Upcoming fan events include the Diamond Dig on August 8 and Wiener Dog Races with Family Fun Night on August 16. CLICK HERE for the remaining stakes schedule.
