GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Saturday, October 29, 2022)
Five trials were contested over a sloppy (sealed) track to set the field for the $412,568.87 Texas Classic Derby (G1).
This year, the honor of being the fastest qualifier for the Texas Classic Derby will be shared between KJ Desparado and The Big Favorite. Both of the runners covered the 440 yards in :21.262.
KJ Desparado, improved his record to 11-2-0 from 16 starts with a decisive win in the first trial of the night. A son of Apollitical Jess, out of Tres Veses, a Tres Seis mare, remains undefeated on the Lone Star Park track. Last year, KJ Desparado was the winner of the Texas Classic Futurity and will look to become the fourth horse to pull off the Texas Classic Futurity/Derby double. John Lee, Wanda Kathy Lee and I. Ruben Mares are the owners of KJ Desparado.
Coming off of a win in the La Fiesta Derby at the Downs at Albuquerque, The Big Favorite matched the fastest time of the trials with a 1/2 length victory in the following race. The gelding by Favorite Cartel out of Classic Sassy Chic by A Classic Dash has now qualified for his fourth derby. The Big Favorite is owned by Melvin and Susan Neugebauer.
The third fastest time of the trials was posted in the final race of the night by KJ Wildthing. The sorrel gelding by Apollitical Jess out of a Tres Seis mare, Wild Six stopped the clock at :21.349. KJ Wildthing is also owned by John Lee, Wanda Kathy Lee and I. Ruben Mares.
The top three qualifiers were all ridden to victory by Adrian Ramos and trained by Wesley Giles.
After the trials were complete, Mr. Giles spoke about his three runners. "It always feels good when things go right. I liked all three of these horses going into it. It went good tonight."
His three qualifiers will face seven others in the finals on November 19. The complete list of qualifiers for the Texas Classis Derby (G1) follows:
