GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Friday, November 18, 2022)
Tomorrow night, KJ Desparado will look to join Mr Jess Perry, PYC Paint Your Wagon and Flying Cowboy 123 as the only horses to win both the Texas Classic Futurity (G1) and Texas Classic Derby (G1).
KJ Desparado has had an impressive career, most notably winning the sports' most lucrative race, the $3,000,000 All-American Futurity last year at Ruidoso Downs. Since then, the gelding has gone on to win seven of eight races including the 2021 Texas Classic Futurity (G1) at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. His only defeat in 2022 came by a neck in the Rainbow Derby (G1) at the hands of A Pollitical Candy V. Owned by John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares, KJ Desparado has earned $2,522,510. The Wesley T. Giles trained gelding has drawn post position five, Adrian Ramos will ride.
Giles will also send out The Big Favorite, who will break from the rail with Ricky Ramirez in the irons. The gelding shared the fastest time in the trials with KJ Desparado, earning him a spot in his fourth Derby. The California-Bred, owned by Melvin Neugebauer and Susan Neugebauer, will enter the Texas Classic Derby (G1) on a three race win streak.
With more than $690,000 banked in his career, San Lorenzo Tay will be looking for his first win of the year. The gelded son of Ivory James was the runner-up in the 2021 Texas Classic Futurity (G1). He drew post position 8 and will be ridden by Juan Pulido. Santos Carrizales, Jr. trains for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr.
A total of five stakes will be run on the 11 race card. The 440-yard Texas Classic Derby (G1) will be run as race 9. First post is at 6:05 p.m. (CST).
The complete field for the Texas Classic Derby (G1) follows:
