GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 9, 2018—Flying Cowboy 123, under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, ran down Eagles Fly Higher to win the Grade 1 $1,014,657 Texas Classic Futurity by a head Saturday night at Lone Star Park. Danjer finished another head back in a blanket finish to get third.

"Cowboy's been going down the racetrack getting stronger and I was hoping he'd do that again today and sure enough when we got halfway down the track he just gave me another gear," Ramirez said after the race.

Saddled the leading AQHA Racing trainer G. Blane Wood, Flying Cowboy 123 completed the 400 yards in :19.692 seconds, a 97 speed index into a 5 mph headwind to take home the winners' purse valued at $451,523.

"It's stuff you dream about. I have to give credit to my family and crew. It's a team deal. Everybody supports us. You have to applaud them as well it ain't just about me," Wood said following another big win for his stable. "We have some good owners. They believe in you and let you do what you do. When you have a fast horse it's easy," he added.

Tom Lipar's Paragon Farms LLC purchased the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess for $100,000 at the 2017 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Out of the Takin On The Cash mare Hot Cash 123, Flying Cowboy 123 is a half-brother to AQHA Racing world champion Hot Cash 123.

"It's unbelievable to win one of these races let alone two in three years," Lipar said after the victory. "I've got to thank Blane, and Trey Wood, and Sandy, and Ricky of course and all the guys that work with us. They did a great job. I'm fortunate I have a trainer that can pick great horses."

Bred in Michigan by Carolyn Bay, the sorrel colt has won four of six starts this season as well as finishing second in the Grade 1 $1 million-dollar Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in July.

After winning his trial for the All American Futurity, but failing to qualify, Flying Cowboy 123 came to Lone Star Park and posted the fastest qualifying time from a 1-˝ length winning effort in the seventh of 14 trials October 20th.

Tonight's victory pushed his earnings to $644,423, putting him in contention for year-end 2-year-old colt championship honors.

Ramirez had a big decision to make before the finals. After pulling off All American Futurity(G1) winner Apocalyptical Jess, who he also qualified to the Texas Classic Futurity final, to ride the eventual winner.

"Part of the process is trainer Blane Wood and Trey do a great job with these horses," Ramirez said. "I talked to my wife every night about it (on choosing the ride Cowboy 123 over All American Futurity winner Apocalyptical Jess) for the last two weeks and finally decided to ride Flying Cowboy. We were blessed to get the victory."

Earlier this year the AQHA Racing champion jockey pulled off the eventual All American Futurity(G1) winner to ride his Rainbow Futurity(G1) winner Mm Fourinthemorning in the $3 million-dollar Labor Day final.

Ramirez has won four of the last five Texas Classic Futurities at the Grand Prairie facility.

Eagles Fly Higher put in a game effort under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo to finish second for owners Vernon Harman and Robert T. Moudy III. Trey Ellis conditions the homebred son of leading sire One Famous Eagle from the First Down Dash mare Lone Bet.

A winner of four of seven starts this season, the Oklahoma-bred colt won the Remington Park Juvenile Stakes in April. He picked up $223,225 tonight to bring his 2-year-old earnings mark to $292,881.

All American Juvenile winner Danjer's came into the Texas Classic final riding a four-race win streak but had to settle for a third-place payday valued at $111,612. Champion jockey Cody Jensen rode the son of world champion sire FDD Dynasty for trainer-and-breeder Dean Frey.

The Oklahoma-bred gelding, from the Take Off Jess mare Shez Jess Toxic, races for Frey and partners Downtime Enterprises LLC and Billy G. Smith. He has earned $211,594 this season.

Long Wagon Ho, Wushocker, Apocalyptical Jess, Jess Master Angel, Fm Im A Zatanaz Too, Tdz A Fast Player and Shockinglyfamous completed the field.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, a Class I racetrack operated by Texas Partners LSP and Global Gaming LSP. The track's 16-day 2018 Quarter Horse Season opens Friday, September 21, and concludes on Saturday, November 10. Live racing will be held two days a week, Friday and Saturday at 6:05 p.m. For more information on Lone Star Park visit LoneStarPark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Global Gaming Solutions, LLC (GGS), is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation with a primary business focus of pursuing entertainment, gaming and racing related opportunities in emerging jurisdictions in the United States and overseas as well as acquisition of regional gaming and entertainment assets. GGS LLC is the parent company of GG RP, which owns Remington Park in Oklahoma City, OK and GG LSP, which owns a significant stake in Lone Star Park. GG LSP is the track operator who owns the license to operate Lone Star Park and leases the property from the Grand Prairie Sports Facilities Development Corporation.