As Moonflash and jockey Nestor Duran drive to victory in the $47,200 Selma Stakes for fillies and mares three years old and upward at Retama Park on Thursday evening.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TEXAS–JULY 3, 2025—As Moonflash, a talented 4-year-old bay filly by First Moonflash out of As and Js by Apollitical Jess, surged late to take home the $47,200 Selma Stakes for fillies and mares three years old and upward at Retama Park on Thursday evening.

Owned and bred by Alcala Ranch LLC, trained by Cristian Alcala and ridden by jockey Nestor Duran, As Moonflash dueled early and finished strongly, covering the 350 yards in 17.722 seconds on a fast sealed track with an 18 mph headwind. The effort earned her a sharp Speed Index of 98 and a winner’s share of $28,320.

Making her first start since a fourth-place effort in the Grade 2 Lovington Stakes at Zia Park December 15, the filly has won four of seven starts and boosted her earnings to $81,741.

The winning connections of As Moonflash accept the Selma Stakes trophy at Retama Park Thursday night.
© Jack Coady Phtography

Multiple stakes winner First Time For Wine put up a determined fight to claim second for breeder and owner Pete A. Scarmardo. The 5-year-old mare, also by First Moonflash, is out of Time for Wine by Mr Jess Perry.

She is trained by John Stinebaugh and was ridden by Ali Rivera, earning $9,440, boosting her career total to $201,538.

Rounding out the top three was Scarmardo’s other runner, Ladys Gotta Jet, a 4-year-old sorrel filly by champion Ec Jet One out of Lady Lilia by First Down Dash.

She is trained by Stinebaugh and ridden by Gilberto Linares, earning $5,192 for the effort. Ladys Gotta Jet was a $42,000 repurchase at the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale and has earned $152,528. She entered the Selma with a two race win streak that included the Miss Sam Houston Stakes in her last start, July 3.

Pari-mutuel payoffs returned $4.60 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.60 to show on As Moonflash. First Time For Wine paid $4.80 to place and $3.60 to show, while Ladys Gotta Jet returned $3.40 to show.

In the remainder of the Selma Stakes field, Jeg Fascination finished fourth, followed by Trixiee, Jess Louisiana Girl, Shez Flyn, You Look Famous, Zsuzannah, and Rustys Cowgirl.

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