The Big Favorite, under jockey Adrian Ramos, ties for the co-fastest qualifying time for the $412.568 Texas Classic Derby at Lone Star Park Saturday.

© Dustin Orona Photography

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—OCTOBER 29, 2022—Trainer Wesley T. Giles dominated Saturday's Texas Classic Derby trials sending out the top three qualifiers to the November 19th Grade 1 $412.568 final at Lone Star Park.

The first two trials were won by stablemates KJ Desparado and The Big Favorite in the identical time of :21.262 seconds, a 102 speed index over a sloppy (sealed) racing surface with a 5 mph tailwind, to tie for the top qualifying spot. Giles named regular rider Adrian Ramos on both horses.

"It always feels good when things go right. I liked all three of these horses going into it. It went good tonight," Giles said after the trials were completed.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from five trial races contested tonight over 440 yards, will vie for the winner's purse valued at $183,493.

All American Futurity(G1) and Texas Classic Futurity(G1) winner KJ Desparado bobbled the start in the opening trial tonight but recovered nicely under Ramos to easily win by 1-1/2 lengths. The $2.5 million money earner was making his first start since a win in the All American Derby trials August 21 where he failed to qualify

Kj Desparado, under jockey Adrian Ramos, ties for the co-fastest qualifying time for the $412.568 Texas Classic Derby at Lone Star Saturday. © Dustin Orona Photography

The son of leading sire Apollitical Jess picked up his 11th career win in 16 starts for owners John and Wanda Lee and Ruben Mares. L&L Land & Cattle bred the brown gelding in Arizona from the Tres Seis mare Tres Veses. The three-time Grade 1 winner also won this year's $850,000 Ruidoso QH Derby(G1).

In second trial The Big Favorite, under Ramos, exchanged bumps at the start to win by a half-length over fellow qualifier San Lorenzo Tay. The son of a leading sire Favorite Cartel, racing for owners Melvin and Susan Neugebauer, has won three consecutive races including the $175,908 La Fiesta Derby in Albuquerque in his last start September 25.

Neugebauer purchased The Big Favorite from breeder Steve D. Burns, DVM at the 2020 Los Alamitos Equine Sale for $40,000. Out of the A Classic Dash mare Classic Sassy Chic, The Big Favorite has compiled a (12) 5-1-2 record and banked $152,734.

KJ Wild Thang and jockey Adrian Ramos to race to the third-fastest qualifying time in the closing trial on Saturday.
© Dustin Orona Photography

Giles third qualifier came in the closing trial when KJ Wild Thang posted a half-length win in :21.349 seconds, a 99 speed index with a 5 mph tailwind, to secure the third fastest time.  Again ridden by Ramos the son of Apollitical Jess was the second Texas Classic Derby qualifier for the Lee and Mares partnership.

Another Arizona homebred, by Lee & Sherwood Racing LLC and Mineer, Kj Wildthang is out of the Rainbow QH Futurity(G1) winner Wild Six, by Tres Seis.

Winner of the Rainbow QH Futurity (G1) himself at 2, and a finalist in the All American Futurity(G1) and All American Derby(G1), Kj WIldthang has earned $601,632.

Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Futurity(RG1) winner San Lorenzo Tay, who was second to The Big Favorite, held on for the fourth fastest time of :21.358 seconds, a 99 speed index. Second in last year's Texas Classic Futurity(G1) the son of Ivory James races for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and is trained by Santos Carrizales, Jr. Juan Pulido rode the Bobby D. Box Oklahoma bred gelding from the First Down Dash mare Shes Dashin First. San Lorenzo Tay has won four of 11 starts and earned $690,207.

The only other trainer-owner combination with multiple qualifiers tonight was trainer Esteban Rubio and owner-breeder Sarah Huskey. The duo qualified 6^th fastest Rock Solid Stones and 7^th fastest Moonin My Memories.

For the complete list of Texas Classic Derby qualifiers from both nights, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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About Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie; A major league sports entertainment attraction that features two exciting racing seasons annually. Over 700,000 guests visit our beautiful facility each year, which features a seven-level glass-enclosed Grandstand, highlighted by our 1,200-seat Silks Dining Room and our 48 luxurious Penthouse Suites, all overlooking the newest race track in Texas. Situated next to our Grandstand is the 36,000 square foot world-class Las Vegas-style Racebook and simulcast facility, Bar & Book, which features wagering on horse racing from around the world 7-days a week year-round.

Lone Star Park is located on Beltline Road, just ½ mile north of I-30 in Grand Prairie, Texas. Visit LoneStarPark.com for more information.