Gillespie County Fairground hosted five trials for the $130,600 G.C.F.A. Firecracker Futurity on Sunday's race card.

© Jenny Barton

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

REDERICKSBURG, TX–JULY 20, 2025–The Texas Hammer delivered a commanding performance in the final of five trials Sunday afternoon at the Gillespie County Fairground, posting the fastest qualifying time for the $130,600 G.C.F.A. Firecracker Futurity.

The 2-year-old gelding covered the 350-yard distance in 18.003 seconds into a 10 mph headwind, under jockey Gaspar Garcia, securing his spot as the one to beat in the August 10 final.

Owned and bred by Shadow Cross Farms, the Texas-bred son of The Fiscal Cliff is out of Bodacity by Bodacious Dash. The Hector R. Osorio trainee broke alertly despite an early bobble and cruised home 1¼ lengths in front of Virgils Cash. The performance earned him a 350-yard speed index of 84.

Second in the Sam Hosuton Juvenile Challenge(G3) in May, The Texas Hammer has won three of four starts and earned $45,116.

The second fastest time of the day came in the fourth trial, where Unlimited Candy surged late under Eliazar T. Vera to win by three-quarters of a length with a time of 18.046.

The Oklahoma-bred gelding by Jess Good Candy, out of Mary Me Anna by Game Patriot, is trained by Manuel Roman for owners Omar Paredes and Manuel Roman. Bred by Omar Paredes, Unlimited Candy showed grit and power in the closing yards after a slightly troubled trip. He has earned $18,977 in four starts.

Completing the top three qualifiers was El Rey Juanito, who clocked 18.157 in four trial three-quarters off Unlimited Candy.

 The colt by Man Who Wouldbe King, out of HF Lluvia by Taylors Toastin Papa, is trained by Miguel A. Castillo for owner Leticia Y. Corpuz. Eduardo Luviano guided the Texas-bred runner, who was bred by Juan and Nelson Saucedo.

The ten fastest qualifiers from today’s trials will return to compete in the G.C.F.A. Firecracker Futurity final on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the Gillespie County Fairground. The race will carry a purse of $130,600 and is open to 2-year-olds competing over 350 yards. CLICK HERE for finalists' times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

This year’s futurity trials, postponed from their original schedule earlier this month,  were contested under cloudy skies with temperatures in the high 80s and headwinds ranging from 10 to 15 mph.

Editor's note: A photo of the fastest qualifier will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.

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