Full Throttle N 25, under jockey Gilberto Linares, powers past The Valiant Flame to score a neck victory and post the fastest qualifying time in to the Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge.

© Jack Coady Photogrpahy

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 24, 2026–In a surprise finish, Full Throttle N 25 upset the field to post the fastest qualifying time in the trials for the $58,344 Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge on Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park,

Breaking from post six in the second of two trials, Full Throttle N 25 covered the 400 yards in 19.930 seconds while earning a 100 speed index into a 12 mph headwind. He broke just off the early leader before engaging The Valiant Flame through the stretch.

Under jockey Gilberto Linares, the Full Throttle N 25 won by a neck over the post-time favorite in a tightly contested finish. The upset returned $23.00 at odds of 11-1.

Owned by John A. Stinebaugh and John L. Herrick, the son of The Marfa Lights is trained by John Stinebaugh. He was bred in Texas by Marshall S. Wier out of Suzy Cartel by Corona Cartel.

A $20,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Full Throttle N 25 recorded his first win of the season and first victory since breaking his maiden in his freshman debut. The effort advanced him to the final of his first career stakes. He now has five starts with two wins, one second and $20,062 in earnings.

The Valiant Flame, sent off as the heavy favorite, set the pace from the break and held a narrow advantage until the final stretch before being caught at the wire, finishing second by a neck. She stopped the clock in 19.989 seconds and earned a 98 speed index, securing the second-fastest qualifying time.

Owned and bred by Torres Buildings, the filly is sired by The Louisiana Cartel and out of Valiant Flame by Valiant Hero. Trained by Brian Stroud and ridden by Jose R. Herbert, she was a multiple graded stakes finalist during her freshman season, including appearances in the TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity-G2 and Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge Stakes-G3. The Valiant Flame now holds a record two wins and two seconds with earnings of $35,436 from six starts.

Inflation captured the first of two trials with a determined performance to secure the third-fastest qualifying mark of the night. Breaking from post seven, the gelding dueled throughout and held firm to win by a head over Fdd El Jefe, stopping the clock in 20.164 seconds while earning a 94 speed index .

Trainer Marc Jungers saddled Inflation for owner/breeder Jerry Windham. The son of Apollitical Blood out of Trashy Tres by Tres Seis was guided by jockey Christian Ramos.

The victory came in his first start of the season and marked his third career win, sending him back to a stakes final for the first time. He now shows seven starts with three wins, one second, one third and $28,561 in earnings.

CLICK HERE for the complete list of qualifiers who will return for the May 9 final of the $58,344 Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge.

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