This weekend’s live racing at Retama Park culminates in a 10-race card on Saturday, headlined by three premier stakes events, including the evening’s final and richest feature — the $620,000 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1).
The stakes action begins in Race 8 with the $50,300 TQHA Sale Juvenile Stakes, set for 9:24 PM (CDT). This 350-yard feature offers a valuable second opportunity for the next 10 fastest qualifiers from the TQHA Sale Futurity Trials to compete on a major stage.
In Race 9, a competitive field of three-year-olds will line up for the $205,300 Retama Park presented by Torchtree Bourbon, contested at 400 yards. Post time is scheduled for 9:51 PM (CDT).
The night’s grand finale comes in Race 10 with the highly anticipated running of the Grade 1 $620,000 TQHA Sale Futurity, going off at 10:18 PM (CDT). Run over 350 yards, the race showcases Texas-bred two-year-olds who are graduates of the TQHA Yearling Sale and earned their place in the gate through qualifying trials held on July 12. With support from the TQHA HIEA Bonus, the purse includes an impressive $200,000 in added money.
The first post for Saturday’s card is 6:15 PM, immediately following the final hammer of the TQHA Yearling Sale, setting the stage for an evening of high-caliber racing under the lights.
BOURBON, WINE & RACING: A WEEKEND EXPERIENCE
In addition to the racing excitement, the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame and TQHA will host a “Wine & Torchtree Bourbon Tasting” at Retama Park from 6 to 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. Multiple tasting stations will be set up throughout the park, allowing fans to sample featured selections. Tickets for the tasting experience can be purchased at the TQHA Sales Pavilion on Thursday and Friday by visiting the Hall of Fame table.
“At Torchtree Bourbon, we’re proud to partner with the Texas Quarter Horse Association and celebrate a sport that honors heritage, heart, and horsepower. There’s no better pairing than championship racing and a finely crafted bourbon—and we’re honored to share that experience with the fans at Retama Park,” said David Pratt, Founder of Torchtree Bourbon.
I B A BIG GIRL HEADLINES TQHA SALE FUTURITY (RG1) FIELD
Headlining the field is the fastest qualifier from the trials and morning-line favorite I B A Big Girl (2-1), a gray filly by leading New Mexico sire Big Daddy Cartel out of the Jesse James Jr mare I B Jessie Jane.
Bred and owned by Shane and Barbee Beer, I B A Big Girl comes into the final off an authoritative trial victory in 18.004, clocking a 90 speed index. Trained by John A. Stinebaugh and ridden by Gilberto Linares, the filly boasts two wins from four starts, including a maiden victory at Sam Houston earlier in the season. She was a $6,000 repurchase at last year’s TQHA Yearling Sale.
Another standout is Eagle On A June Bug (4-1), who drew post #9. The Eagles Fly Higher gelding out of Sandy June Bug by Blushing Bug is trained by Victor Oviedo for owners Sergio Jimenez and Enrique Santollo.
Bred by Robert T. Moudy III and purchased for $20,000 at the TQHA Sale, he has two wins and a runner-up finish in three career outs. Eagle On A June Bug impressed in his trial heat, surging late to win by a neck in 18.024 seconds under H.J. Hernandez.
Earlier this year, he ran second by a neck in the Grade 2 $347,000 Mardi Gras Futurity at Louisiana Downs and has earned $67,916 off two wins in three starts.
In post #3 is Brother Gaga (5-1), a fast-improving gelding by This Is An Eagle out of Papa Larrys Girl by Papa Larry. Bred by Billy Dan Dodd and owned by Alfredo Cantu, the $17,000 TQHA yearling graduate broke his maiden in his most recent start, scoring a gritty head victory in his trial in 18.068.
Trained by Jorge Luis Muniz and piloted by Alejandro Ochoa, Brother Gaga displayed determination and gameness in prevailing over fellow qualifiers Wera C and La Chuchy.
With the top ten horses from 11 trials returning to battle, and several impressive trial efforts spread throughout the field, Saturday’s 350-yard sprint should offer fireworks worthy of the winner’s prize valued at $275,900. Last place will take home $15,500.
SHES EC TO TEMPT MORNING LINE FAVORITE IN $50,300 TQHA SALE JUVENILE
A pair of fast-rising juveniles—Shes Ec To Tempt and Gainz—headline a competitive field in the $50,300 TQHA Sale Juvenile Stakes.
Shes Ec To Tempt, the 5-2 morning line favorite, brings one win and one second from two starts into her stakes debut for breeder/owner Francisco Javier Garza. The daughter of champion Tempting Dash, out of the EC Jet One mare Kas Shes Ec, was a sharp winner in her most recent trial, overcoming a troubled break to surge clear under jockey Jose Herbert.
Trained by Patrick Clemons, she stopped the clock in 18.231 seconds with an 83 speed index in just her second career start. Prior to that, she missed by a head in her debut at Houston.
A Texas homebred, Shes Ec To Tempt looks to extend her winning streak and stamp herself as a rising force in the Texas-bred ranks.
Drawing post position 9 is Gainz, the 7-2 second choice, who has finished worse than third only once in his five career starts. This gelding, by Tempting Dash, was a $65,000 purchase at the TQHA Yearling Sale by owner Triple Five. He is trained by Oscar Constancio, Jr. and will be ridden by Jorge J. Garcia.
Gainz impressed earlier this summer when capturing the $78,000 Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes, outkicking Relentless Dasher, who also returns in this event. In his July 12 trial, Gainz was caught in the final stride to finish a narrow second in 18.244 seconds—just a tick off the top qualifiers.
With experienced connections and stakes-credentialed performances, Shes Ec To Tempt and Gainz highlight a strong betting race and an exciting renewal of the TQHA Sale Juvenile.
DR PEPPER 123 LEADS CONTENDERS IN $205,300 RETAMA PARK DERBY PRESENTED BY TORCHTREE BOURBON
Headlining the Retama Park Derby presented by Torchtree Bourbon field is the 2-1 morning-line favorite Graded Stakes Winner Dr Pepper 123, who brings a strong resume into Race 9 on the card.
Owned and bred in Texas by Mary Lou Zoeller, Dr Pepper 123 has shown top-class form in 2025 with three wins from four starts, including a gritty score in the $275,000 Sam Houston Derby (G3) on June 14.
Trained by J.W. Plunkett and ridden by Noe Villatoro, he is out of My Glory Dash by Shazooms Glory Dash. The son of second-crop sire Chilitos enters off a sharp trial win on July 2, clocking 400 yards in 19.681, a 104 speed index on a muddy surface. He’s banked over $142,000 lifetime and appears to be peaking at the right time. The
Also drawing attention is Dk Marney Jess (4-1), a multiple graded stakes winning filly with a remarkable 9-for-12 record and earnings of $561,063.
Owned by CH Horse Racing LLC, trained by Patrick Clemons, and piloted by top rider Nestor Duran, the daughter of Apollitical Jess—bred in Mexico by Cuadra La Presita—was third in the Grade 2 Heritage Place Oaks earlier this year and exits a commanding trial win in 19.934, a 102 speed index. Her consistency and experience make her a major contender.
She was third in the Grade Heritage Place Oaks at Remington Park in May and second in the Dash For Cash Futurity (G2) last fall.
Another rising star is Apolitical Time (9-1), a colt by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Breitling Time by Fishers Dash, bred by Flag Ranch LLC and purchased for $87,000 at the Ruidoso Select Sale.
Representing Jimenas Ranch and trained by Raul Ramirez, he will be ridden by Esgar Ramirez. Apolitical Time scored impressively in his trial with a time of 19.975, a 101 speed index, rebounding from a sixth-place finish in the Heritage Place Derby (G2) final. Third in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby in March, he has shown improvement and maturity this summer.
Supporting cast members include El Senador Tequila (5-1), runner-up to Dr Pepper 123 in the trials. The Fly Thru the Fire gelding is owned by Joe Ruiz Jr., trained by Santiago Riojas Jr., and bred in California by Steve D. Burns DVM. He was a $27,000 Heritage Place yearling and is a past winner of the Gillespie County Futurity.
The race also features solid contenders like Monty Cristo (30-1), a Favorite Cartel gelding bred in Oklahoma and purchased for $65,000; and Texas Temper (10-1), a Tempting Dash gelding bred by Garlyn O. Shelton and bought for $45,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale.
RESERVE YOUR TABLE NOW FOR TERRACE DINING’S BIGGEST WEEKEND OF THE YEAR
Now is the time to secure your seat at the Terrace Dining buffet restaurant, where guests enjoy spectacular racetrack views and a carefully crafted dining experience. Each reservation is $42.50 per person, which includes admission, tax, and gratuity—making it an all-inclusive value for race fans and food lovers alike. Seating is limited and demand is expected to be high, so early reservations are strongly encouraged. CLICK HERE to make a reservation now and CLICK HERE to view the menu.
FINAL GAVEL FALLS SATURDAY AT THE 28TH ANNUAL TQHA YEARLING SALE
The 28th Annual TQHA Yearling Sale will come to a close on Saturday, marking the final opportunity for buyers to secure some of the most promising Quarter Horse racing prospects in the industry.
The multi-day event features 438 catalogued yearlings, offered over two sessions at the Exposition Hall at the Freeman in San Antonio. The sale begins at 10:00 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday, with Hips 1–219 selling Friday and Hips 220–438 offered Saturday. CLICK HERE to view the complete catalog.
In addition to the yearlings, each sale day will open by auctioning four 2026 stallion breedings, with proceeds benefitting the TQHA PAC fund. Stallions represented include Dulce Sin Tacha, Eye On The Card, Gotagogh, Hawkeye, Kiss My Hocks, Kj Mucho Macho Man, Politiko, and This Is An Eagle.
As a prelude to the sale, all consignors and buyers are invited to the Consignor & Buyer BBQ, which will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24.
