Racing


Stolis Pro Prevails In San Marcos Handicap
Stolis Pro, under jockey Francisco Calderon, winning the $15,000 San Marcos Handicap at Retama Park Wednesday afternoon.

© Coady Photography
Stolis Pro Prevails In San Marcos Handicap

SELMA, TX—SEPTEMBER 5, 2018—Stolis Pro dueled three wide under jockey Francisco Calderon Wednesday afternoon before defeating Love Ta Zoom by three-quarters as the post-time favorite in the $15,000 San Marcos Handicap at Retama Park. Multiple stakes winner Jessa Little Rust finished a nose back in thrid.

The race was a make-up originally scheduled for Labor Day when the Selma racetrack was forced to cancel several races due to weather.

Racing for owner-breeder Jerry Windham, Stolis Pro completed the 870 yards over a "muddy" race course, into an 8 mph headwind, in :45.820 seconds. Equibase did not post speed indexes for the race.

Conditioned by trainer Leon Bard, the son of champion and world champion sire Stoli has compiled a (32) 11-5-8 record and the $8,550 winners' purse in the San Marcos pushed his earnings mark to $115,000. Out of the Runaway Winner mare Veva Jean, Stolis Pro is a brother to world champion and former leading money earner Stolis Winner.

Winning jockey Francisco Calderon and trainer Leon Bard accept the San Marcos Handicap stakes trophy Wednesday afternoon at Retama Park. © Coady Photography
Runner-up Love Ta Zoom, a 4-year-old son of Azoom, races for owner/breeder Sue Fikes and was saddled by trainer Kie Mushinski. Ricardo Garza-Cruz had the riding call aboard the brown gelding from the Royal Shake Em mare Loves Easter Bunny. He picked up $2,850 for the effort.

Trainer John Stinebaugh saddled multiple graded winner Jessa Little Rusty for owner Louis Howard. Clyde Wilmott bred the 8-year-old son of leading sire Mr Jess Perry from the multiple stakes-producer Rustys Quickid by Royal Quick Dash. Kelsi Purcell was riding the $256,830 money earner.

Jack Ketel, The Field Cricket, Shake Rattle N Soar, Dealmfast and Tars Tarkus completed the field.