The 1/ST BET Retama Park Derby matches top-class American Quarter Horse sophomores over 350 yards, a field comprised of the 10-fastest qualifiers from trials held July 3. The showdown is co-featured on a Saturday night card in greater San Antonio that also includes the Retama Park Futurity.
Let’s meet the contenders for the 1/ST BET Retama Park Derby (Race 10):
#1-HOCK IT IS: Two-time winner was runner-up in last year’s Grade 2 $400K Dash For Cash Futurity final at Lone Star. Stumbled from the rail in the 1/ST BET Retama Derby trials when defeated as the 4-5 favorite and must overcome same post under trials pilot Noe Villatoro. Gelding is by 2015 Grade 1 Rainbow Derby winner Kiss My Hocks.
#2-MIRACLE B KNOCKOUT: First of three finalists for Juan Diaz Jr., the current meet’s leading trainer with 13 wins coming into the racing week. Owns only a single win from 6 starts and was runner-up in her trial under jockey Nestor Duran. Daughter of 2011 Oklahoma Derby winner Freighttrain B.
#3-FIRE COWBOY: 5-2 morning line favorite has won 7 of his last 8 starts, including the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby. Qualified in a modest 18.12 for the 350 yards following a troubled break. Top-class jockey Juan Pulido takes over as Victor Urietta jumps to rider Juan Diaz Jr. stablemate Dollar Bill next door.
#4-DOLLAR BILL: Top money earner in the 1/ST BET Retama Derby field has bagged $581,727 by winning 7 of 12 starts. Kiss My Hocks gelding is a multiple stakes winner and notable runner-up as the favorite in the Grade 2 Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park in June. Away slowish from outside draw in trials when rallying strong to just miss against Choicez in the day’s fastest trial.
#5-CHASING FDD: Most lightly raced member of the lineup makes just his fourth career start. Longshot third in the trial at 26-1 will be a big price again for trainer Daniel Luna and jockey Pedro Espinosa. Lone win came over 440 yards in a Sam Houston maiden tilt in May. Son of millionaire earner FDD Dynasty.
#6-FAMOUS EYE GLORY: First of four finalists from the barn of Toby Keeton, second in the Retama meet standings with 9 wins coming into the racing week. Two-time spring winner at Louisiana Downs missed by a nose when second in his trials run behind heavily favored Fire Cowboy. Drawn inside in last 2 and took pressure, may appreciate being mid-pack Saturday while reunited with his winning pilot Bryan Candanosa. Son of One Famous Eagle, millionaire and winner of the Los Al Two Million Futurity at 2 and Los Al Super Derby at 3.
#7- CHOICEZ (pictured above): Fastest qualifier stopped the clock in 17.82 and comes into her first stakes final having won 3 of her last 4 starts. One of 4 Toby Keeton trainees, but loses jockey Luis Vivanco to stablemate Cowgurl Up. Francisco Calderon takes over this daughter of One Famous Eagle, also sire of stablemate and fellow finalist Famous Eye Glory. Broke sharper in the trial than the past performance line suggests and dangerous if away cleanly.
#8- JAEGAR: Runner-up in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Derby behind return rival Fire Cowboy, this Toby Keeton trainee bounced back to win his trial comfortably in 17.84, second-fastest on the clock. Jockey Luis Vivanco also qualified this one, but opts to ride Cowgurl Up in the final. Jaeger lost the first 6 starts of his career, but has improved this year in winning 2 of his last 3. AQHA champion jockey Ricky Ramirez takes the reins of this son of Grade 1 Champion of Champions winner Apollitical Jess.
#9- COWGURL UP: Final of 4 Toby Keeton trainees might be the barn’s best with jockey Luis Vivanco opting to ride here. Blowout winner in 3 straight starts at the meet, vastly improved from mediocre form at age 2. Third-fastest qualifier in 17.86 wasn’t extended on trials night. Daughter of Flying Cowboy 123, who never lost in the Lone Star State, including victories in the Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity and Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby of 2018-’19.
#10-IMAGINACION: First stakes final for longshot who has won 2 of 12 lifetime and was a distant second to Cowgurl Up in the trials. Winless in 3 starts when drawing widest in the gate in his career for trainer Marc Jungers. Regular rider Edwin Escobedo is back aboard the gelding by Hes Relentless, sire of millionaires Dark Nme and Hesjudgenjury (2022 All American Futurity winner).
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