Challenge


Fastest Qualifier Droff Returns to Win Adequan Retama Park Derby Challenge
Droff, under jockey Luis Vivanco, winning the $46,260 Adequan Retama Park Derby Challenge Saturday night.

© Coady Photography
Fastest Qualifier Droff Returns to Win Adequan Retama Park Derby Challenge

SAN ANTONIO, TX—AUGUST 18, 2018—Droff picked up his first career stakes win on Saturday night in the $46,260 Adequan Retama Park Derby Challenge as the fastest qualifier and post time favorite.

Droff ($3.20), with Luis Vivanco up, covered the 400-yard distance in 19.965 and earned a 95 speed index. Vivanco has been aboard for the gelding’s last four starts; together they have won three races and finished second in his first stakes attempt, the $69,000 Old South Derby at Delta Downs.

Droff is now undefeated in two starts at Retama. He won his trial, the second of three held on July 27, by nearly two lengths and posted the fastest qualifying time of 19.778.

Owner/breeder Jorge Haddad and family accept the Adequan Retama Derby Challenge stakes trophy for Droff on Saturday at Retama Park.
© Coady Photography

The regional Adequan Derby Challenge victory was a triple play for Jorge Haddad, who bred, owns and trains the son of FDD Dynasty. Bred in Texas, Droff is out of the stakes winning mare Cindys First Cd by Corona Cartel.

Second place finisher Mystical Jess won her trial and was the third fastest qualifier of the three time trials. The 3-year-old Apollitical Jess filly has never finished out of the money in her six starts at Retama, including second-place finish in the 2017 John Deere Retama Juvenile Challenge.

Mystical Jess was ridden by Jesse Levario for trainer Alonso Neri. Juan Lozano bred and owns the filly, out of the Dash Thru Traffic mare Traffic Juana; Traffic Juana was unraced but is out of multiple stakes winner Juana Mystica.

Completing the trifecta was Lions Express, who finished first in his trial but was placed third via disqualification. Lions Express had previously qualified for two other stakes, the $212,000 Firecracker Derby at Delta and the $173,000 Gillespie County Fair Futurity, but is still in search of his first stakes win.

Francisco Ramirez, Jr. had the call for trainer Adrian Huitron and owner Jose Espinoza. He was bred in Indiana by Bennett Racing Stables, by Freighttrain B and out of the multiple stakes winning mare This Cat Purrs, by First Wrangler.

Completing the field were Syms Tlc, Sweet Fittin Jeans, Tempting Mary, Nailed It, Salados Man and Jlc Rustysspecialpie. Hidden Cartel was scratched.