GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—OCTOBER 21, 2016—Ten-time AQHA Racing Champion jockey G.R. Carter, Jr., who came out of retirement on Labor Day to ride in the All American Futurity(G1), piloted Jess Be Heroic to his biggest career win and the top qualifying time for the Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby Friday night at Lone Star Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the 41 three-year-olds who competed in five trial races on Friday, will return to Lone Star Park on Saturday, November 11th to vie for the winner's share of a $362,848 purse going the classic Quarter Horse distance of 440 yards.

Carter rode the son of leading sire Valiant Hero over the 440-yard course in :21.474 seconds, a 94-speed index, to win the second trial by 1-¼ lengths. The sorrel gelding was the first of four finalists saddled by trainer Michael Joiner.

Jess Be Heroic races for the partnership of Scott Bryant, Joe Dee Brooks, Lee Lewis and Derrol Hubbard. Out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess B Mighty, Jess B Heroic has compiled a (9) 4-2-2 record an earned nearly $50,000. Bred in Oklahoma by Homer Hill he was second in the All American Juvenile at 2.

Jess B Heroic rewarded backers with $20.40 to win, $7.80 to place and $5.80 to show.

G.R. Carter, Jr. qualified four of the 10 finalists to the grade 1 derby final.

Another long-shot that surprised in Friday's trials was Patriot Pearl (23-1) who defeated Barefoot Beach by half-a-length in the fourth heat to get the second fastest clocking of :21.558 seconds, a 92 speed index.

Trey Wood conditions the stakes-placed daughter of Game Patriot for owner Bobby Simmons. The bay gelding bounced off a 10th place troubled effort in the Dash For Cash Derby(G3) on October 8th. Third in the Texas Classic Juvenile last season, Patriot Pearl has won three of 14 starts and earned $39,568.

Weetona Stanley bred the 3-year-old in Oklahoma from the Mr Jess Perry mare First Prize Pearl. Patriot Pearl returned a whopping $47 to win, $19.80 to place and $8.40 to show.

Ruidoso Futurity(G1) winner First Valiant Sign defeated Fabulous Eagle in the third trial by half-a-length to get the third fastest time of :21.614 seconds. Another trainee for Michael Joiner, the Valiant Hero gelding races for owners Scott Bryant, Joe Dee Brooks, Lee Lewis, Derrol Hubbard and R.D. Hubbard.

Bred in Oklahoma by The Mixer Ranch, from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare First Painted Sign, First Valiant Sign has won four races and earned $858,876. G.R. Carter, Jr. had the riding call.

Grade 1 All American Derby third-place finisher Brave Heart Won kicked off the first trial with a half-length win for trainer Judd Kearl, setting the fourth fastest time of :21.626 seconds, a 90 speed index.

Jose Alvarez rode the Apollitical Jess gelding for owners Dwayne Saucier and Michael Taylor. Luis Miguel Albores Gleason bred the sorrel gelding in Oklahoma form the Fols Gold mare Fols Zookie. He has won five of 10 starts and earned $333,155.

For the complete list of Texas Classic Derby finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Twelve trials are schedule Saturday night for the $1 million-est. Texas Classic Futurity(G1). First post at Lone Star Park will be 6:35 pm.