Mr Michel, ridden by Nestor Duran, wins the Gary Baber Memorial Stakes on Saturday at Retama Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX–JUNE 28, 2025–Mr Michel came to Retama Park on Saturday with something to prove, and he delivered. After his season-long win streak snapped with a fourth-place finish in the Debbie Schauf RP Invitational Championship-G1, the six-year-old gelding bounced back with a determined victory in the $46,300 Gary Baber Memorial Stakes.

Mr Michel, piloted by Nestor Duran, took command early and never gave it up. He covered 550 yards in 27.327 seconds against a stiff 15 mph headwind, posting a 107 speed index. The heavy favorite’s victory paid $2.40 to win.

He went straight to the front from post four and held off every challenge to earn his 16th career win—a strong statement after his only off-the-board finish of the year.

The winning connections of Mr Michel accept the Gary Baber Memorial Stakes trophy at Retama Park on Saturday. © Jack Coady Photography

Most of his prior success came at Horseshoe Indianapolis, but this season Mr Michwl opened with back-to-back wins in the Leo Stakes-G1 and SLM Big Daddy Stakes-G2 at Remington Park before the stumble in his last start.

Trainer Cristian Alcala saddled the son of Kiss My Hocks for owner Alberto Valadez. The win earned him $27,780, pushing his already impressive stakes record to 11 victories, with eight of those in Indiana and $660,330 in the bank.

Originally purchased for $17,500 in the QHRAI Stallion Service Auction, Mr Michel was repurchased for $200,000 earlier this year at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale. He was bred in Indiana by Mark Michel out of Lovemelikethat by Likenothinyoueversaw.

Finishing second was Lil Perry Wagon, a five-year-old bay gelding by Lil Kool Wagon out of Kt Perry, by Mr Jess Perry. Bred in Oklahoma by Randy and Stacy Hill, he crossed the wire just a head behind the winner in 27.358 seconds, also earning a 107 speed index.

He is owned by Ubaldo Fuentes, Jr., trained by B. Tellez, and was ridden by Froylan Ramirez. A $15,000 purchase from the 2021 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Lil Perry Wagon was making his first stakes appearance since a third-place finish in the 2023 Sam Houston Derby-G3. He now holds a record of 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 4 thirds from 17 starts, with earnings of $82,534.

Onthrocks finished third under jockey Luis Vivance with a time of 27.951 seconds, achieving a speed index of 95. The son of A Revenant was bred in Texas by Ware Racing & Ranching LLC out of Stol a Bunny, by Stoli.

Trainer Esteban Rubio saddled Onthrocks for owner Sarah Huskey. He entered the race just coming off a victory in the Sam Houston 550 Stakes two weeks ago. His overall record now stands at 8 wins, 4 seconds, and 6 thirds from 26 starts, with total earnings amounting to $240,539.

The rest of the field finished as follows: Jess Rite in fourth, followed by Dm Preacher Man, Heza Kvn, Thank U Next B, Shakin Jet Black, and Leavinematthebar. Runaway Wildfire was scratched.

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