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John Creager, AQHA Champion Jockey In 1994, Passes Away At Age 75
LOS ALAMITOS, CA — October 2, 2026

John Creager, an AQHA Champion Jockey, esteemed horseman, and respected mentor to many young riders at Los Alamitos, passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 75.

Born on August 9, 1951, in Ogden, Utah, John initially pursued his love for sports on the baseball diamond, playing for Weber State University before answering his true calling in the saddle in the early 1970s.

Known as the revered "dean of the jockey colony" at Los Alamitos Race Course through the 1990s and into the turn of the century, John rose to become one of Quarter Horse racing’s premier pilots. He stands as one of only four riders in history to surpass 2,000 wins at Los Alamitos, finishing his brilliant career in the fall of 2002 with 2,018 local victories and 86 stakes wins—ranking 14th all-time.

Throughout his career, John’s patient, hands-off riding style was key in guiding legendary champions to the winner’s circle, including Sgt Pepper Feature, Down With Debt, Griswold, Ah Sigh, Chicks Beduino, Florentine, Jodys Glory, Prissy Fein, Real Easy Chick, and Fabulous Form. Among his most historic rides was guiding Sgt Pepper Feature past Denim N Diamonds in a thrilling renewal of the 1982 Champion of Champions.

Creager’s banner year arrived in 1994 when he was named AQHA Champion Jockey, tying for the national lead with 15 stakes wins and riding earners of over $2 million. That season, he partnered with AQHA World Champion Down With Debt across multiple Grade 1 victories while also piloting Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Ah Sigh.

The Frank Nakamura-owned juvenile swept through the Miss Kindergarten, Ed Burke Memorial Futurity, and Golden State Futurity. The following year, Ah Sigh captured the La Primera Del Año Derby, Los Alamitos Derby, and completed a sweep of the Golden State series in the Golden State Derby—all with Creager in the irons.

Beyond his extraordinary accomplishments on the track, John earned immense respect for his professionalism and generosity in the room. He served as a mentor to countless young riders, helping to shape the careers of top jockeys like Eddie Garcia. After his retirement, John spent several years at Rolling A Ranch working with horses there.

As his dear friend and cattleman Rick Machado remembered him on a Facebook post Thursday morning: “A World Champion jockey, great horseman, and truly wonderful man. John touched so many lives and will be deeply missed and forever remembered.”

John’s quiet dignity on the racetrack, competitive spirit, and enduring legacy at Los Alamitos will not be forgotten. For more information, contact larace@losalamitos.com.

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AJAX, ON — September 30, 2026

Two trials were contested Wednesday afternoon at Ajax Downs for the $60,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, with Baref Hurricane Rush and Imperial Miracle sharing the fastest qualifying time after dead-heating for the win in the second trial.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return for the 400-yard final on October 21.

Baref Hurricane Rush and Imperial Miracle hit the wire together in :20.633, earning identical 82 speed indexes.

Baref Hurricane Rush was ridden by Corry Beland for owner and breeder Earl Foster and trainer Corey Illman. The filly by Rushago is out of the Sugarman Perry mare Sugarnspicenotsonice.

The victory improved Baref Hurricane Rush's record to 3-1-1-1 with $14,579 in earnings. She entered the trials off a runner-up finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Imperial Miracle was ridden by Tony Phillips for owner, breeder and trainer James Bogar. The Ontario-bred filly is by Thoroughbred stallion Imperial Hint and out of the Dean Miracle mare Go For Miracles.

The dead-heat victory marked Imperial Miracle's first win from two career starts and increased her earnings to $5,415.

Had To Be Valiant posted the third-fastest qualifying time after taking the opening trial by a nose under Ismael Mosqueira. The filly stopped the clock in :20.758.

A homebred for Carol and Jaime Robertson, Had To Be Valiant is trained by Bryn Robertson. She is by One Valiant Hero and out of the Five Bar Cartel mare Five Bar Fandango. Her second dam is AQHA Dam of Distinction Had To Be Fandango.

Coming off a victory in the Ontario Bred Futurity, Had To Be Valiant remains undefeated through her first three starts and has earned $29,012.

The $60,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Futurity final is scheduled for October 21 at Ajax Downs.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE!

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WEATHERFORD, TX — October 2, 2026

Stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Fast Flyer 123 SI 111, a son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 from Grade 1 winner Uptowne Babe, has been retired from racing and will enter stud in 2027 at Scarlett Hill Farm near Weatherford, Texas.

The 4-year-old sorrel stallion, owned by Florentino Leon, will stand his introductory season for a fee of $1,500. He is accredited to the Texas Bred, Speedhorse, OQHRA, Bitterroot, and MQHRA programs.

Fast Flyer 123 retires with four wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 14 career starts and earnings of $112,094.

He enjoyed his best season at 3, winning three of five starts, including the Gillespie County Fair Sprint Classic Stakes, where he established a new track record of :13.011 for 250 yards. He also finished second in the Sam Houston Derby(G3).

Fast Flyer 123 was also a finalist in the King William Stakes(G3) and Texas Classic Juvenile Stakes during his racing career.

Son of Leading Sire Flying Cowboy 123

Fast Flyer 123 is by two-time champion Flying Cowboy 123 SI 101, winner of $965,811 and the Texas Classic Futurity(G1).

Through September 28, Flying Cowboy 123 has sired 62 stakes winners and three champions from four crops of racing age, with his runners earning more than $27.3 million.

His leading performers include two-time champion Cowboys Gun Z SI 101, winner of $1,678,945 and the All American Futurity(G1); two-time champion Lethal Cowboy 123 SI 99, winner of $1,547,872 and the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity(G1); and champion Flying Joy 1 SI 102, winner of $525,212 and the All American Oaks(G1).

Flying Cowboy 123 is also the sire of 2026 All American Futurity(G1) winner Cowboys Flying SI 111, who has earned more than $2.06 million.

From a Powerful Grade 1 Female Family

Fast Flyer 123 brings an equally accomplished female family to the breeding shed.

His dam, Uptowne Babe SI 92, by leading sire Mr Jess Perry, earned $581,404 while winning the Heritage Place Futurity(G1) and finishing second in the Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Futurity(R)(G1).

Fast Flyer 123 is Uptowne Babe's first stakes winner.

Uptowne Babe is a sister to Uptown Dynasty SI 98, an eight-time winner of $760,023. The son of Mr Jess Perry won the Ruidoso Futurity(G1) and Corona Cartel Derby(R) and finished second in the Rainbow Futurity(G1). He was also a finalist in the All American Futurity(G1) and Ruidoso Derby(G1).

Their dam, Ms Southern Dynasty SI 96, by five-time AQHA Racing World Champion sire FDD Dynasty, was herself a stakes winner and earned $90,028. Her other notable runners include 2026 stakes winner Mr High Five SI 105, an earner of $259,912, and Miss Famous Eagle SI 97, winner of $114,304.

The extended family also includes Priceless Feature SI 110, winner of $641,668 and the Remington Park Invitational Championship(G1), along with stakes winners Miss Southern DD, A Priceless Dash and Miss Southern Jess.

The combination gives Fast Flyer 123 the blood of Flying Cowboy 123, Mr Jess Perry and FDD Dynasty in his first three generations, backed by Grade 1-winning performance on both sides of his pedigree.

Standing at Scarlett Hill Farm

Fast Flyer 123 will stand the 2027 breeding season at Scarlett Hill Farm, 802 Scarlett Road, Weatherford, Texas 76087.

His 2027 fee has been set at $1,500.

Breeders can contact Scarlett Hill Farm at (682) 290-5750 or scarletthill@aol.com. Farm manager Gus Barakis can be reached at (817) 925-9610. Spanish-speaking breeders may contact Wendy Garcia at (682) 290-5799.

Additional information is available at ScarlettHillFarms.com.

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Sales Highlights


LOS ALAMITOS EQUINE SALE

DateOctober 3–4, 2026CodeLAEMLocation
Cypress, CACatalog

ITOBA/QHRAI YEARLING & MIXED SALE

DateOctober 17, 2026CodeINDMLocation
Shelbyville, IN

FASTRACK OCTOBER MIXED SALE

DateOctober 25, 2026CodeFTOMSLocation
Gainesville, TXCatalog

HERITAGE PLACE FALL MIXED

DateNovember 5–7, 2026CodeHPFMLocation
Oklahoma City, OKCatalog

HERITAGE PLACE CHAMPIONS OF THE FUTURE ONLINE SALE

DateDecember 8–10, 2026CodeHPFIULocation
Oklahoma City, OK

FASTRACK DECEMBER MIXED SALE

DateDecember 13, 2026CodeFTDMSLocation
Gainesville, TX

FASTRACK NEW YEARS FOAL-IN-UTERO AND FROZEN EMBRYO SALE

DateDecember 31, 2026CodeFTFIUFESLocation
Gainesville, TX

HERITAGE PLACE WINTER MIXED SALE

DateJanuary 14–16, 2027CodeHPWMLocation
HPWM

HERITAGE PLACE SUMMER MIXED ONLINE SALE

DateJune 1–3, 2027CodeHPSMLocation
Oklahoma City, OK

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CLAREMORE, OK — September 28, 2026

Js Freightrain took command in mid-stretch and held sway to win the $28,143 Cox Ranch AQHA Distaff Challenge (G3) Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs.

Ridden by Ruben Castro, Js Freightrain completed the 400 yards in :19.516, earning a 104 speed index. The 4-year-old filly defeated Flying Bandida by 1 1/2 lengths, with Carpe Diem Baby another 1 3/4 lengths back in third.

Js Freightrain is trained by Samuel Mendoza for owner Marisol Alvarado. Bred in Oklahoma by Leonardo Alcala, she is by Freighttrain B and out of champion As And Js, by Apollitical Jess. She is a half-sister to Js On Fire ($265,454), winner of the Boyd Morris Stakes (RG2), and As Moonflash ($135,859), winner of the Retama Championship Challenge (G3).

The victory improved Js Freightrain's record to nine wins, two seconds and two thirds from 18 starts. The $13,790 winner's share boosted her career earnings to $297,843.

Earlier this season, Js Freightrain scored back-to-back stakes victories in the Easy Date Stakes (G2) and Rocky Heinzig Stakes.

Flying Bandida and jockey Ramiro Garcia finished second for owners Shari Burger and Vickie McBee and trainer Jason Olmstead. The 4-year-old filly chased the winner and gained ground late but could not close the gap.

Bred by Shari Burger, Flying Bandida is by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Meaningful Memories. Coming off a runner-up finish in the Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge (G3), she now has a record of 26-6-8-3 with earnings of $220,581. She opened her 2026 campaign with a victory in the Decketta Stakes (G2).

Carpe Diem Baby, a $9,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate, finished third under Ruben Delarosa Jr. for owner/breeders Shane and Brooke Snow and trainer Janessa Muniz. The 3-year-old filly broke alertly and vied along the inside before yielding to the top two.

By Buzzinga and out of the Separatist Baby mare Baby Separatist, Carpe Diem Baby now has a record of 13-1-3-2 with earnings of $25,703. Still in search of her first stakes victory, she was a finalist in the Sam Houston Oaks earlier this season.

Aj Gold Player, Alliekat Dynasty, Fly N Cowgirl and Socially Fun completed the order of finish.

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GRAND PRAIRIE, TX. — October 2, 2026

The Saturday evening card at Lone Star Park will feature a 12-race program, with first post at 6:05 p.m. The night’s featured event will bring together ten Texas-Breds in the Restricted Grade 3 $50,000 B.F. Phillips, Jr. Stakes.

The field will line up for the eleventh race at approximately 10:25 p.m., with the talented group set to battle over 400 yards.

Kas Prietito leads the field as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. The four-year-old gelding enters off a win in the $39,000 Hill Country Stakes, where he delivered a strong gate-to-wire performance and drew clear to win by a length. He has made five starts this season, with three victories, including the Grade 2 Willie Hickman Memorial Stakes and Grade 2 Sam Houston Classic Stakes. He also finished second in the Grade 2 TQHA Classic Stakes, making him first or second in each of his five starts this year.

Kas Prietito has earned six career victories and $175,606 in earnings for owners Fernando Soto and Rolando Soto, Jr.

Bred in Texas by Rancho J.S., Kas Prietito is a son of Kas Tempting and out of the Azoom mare Marys Corazon. Trainer Carlos B. Sanchez will send him from post four, with jockey Luis A. Maldonado aboard.

Bludz Valiant Policy enters as the 2-1 second choice and will look to rebound after a difficult outing in the Dr. Glenn Blodgett Stakes. Prior to that effort, the talented three-year-old filly put together an impressive run, including victories in the Miss Retama Stakes and Grade 3 Selma Stakes, along with a runner-up finish in the Sam Houston Oaks.

The young filly has earned six career victories and $163,670, establishing herself as a consistent stakes competitor as she prepares to face older rivals Saturday night.

The Texas homebred races in the Three Bar T Quarter Horses. Bludz Valiant Policy is a daughter of Apollitical Blood and out of the Tres Seis mare Bp Tres Policies. Trainer Ben Olaveson will saddle her from post three, with jockey Luis L. Vivanco aboard.

With proven stakes winners and rising talent meeting under the lights, the B.F. Phillips, Jr. Stakes is set for a competitive showdown among some of the state’s accomplished Texas-breds Saturday night at Lone Star Park.

The races at Lone Star Park can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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Type
Name
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Earnings
Cowboys Flying
6
6
0
0
$2,062,793
El Huracano V
5
3
1
1
$632,670
Ask Her To Fly
8
3
2
1
$610,175
Kj Meduzza
8
3
4
0
$605,092
Effortless Favorite
7
4
1
0
$574,790
By North American Race LeadersView Top 50 HORSES