Zef Lucky Seis, ridden by H. Hernandez, wins the $34,950 Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes by a nose over Akiles.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX–JULY 25, 2025–Zef Lucky Seis secured his first stakes win on Friday night at Retama Park by pulling off a major upset over Akiles in the $34,950 Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes. This race featured Texas-bred Quarter Horses aged three and older, and Zef Lucky Seis managed to edge out his competitors in a closely contested photo finish.

The 5-year-old sorrel gelding stopped the clock in 18.078 seconds over 350 yards, earning a speed index of 88 while facing a 10 mph headwind. T major longshot returned a hefty $83.00 to win.

The winning connections of Zef Lucky Seis accept the $34,950 Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes winning trophy on Friday at Retama Park. © Jack Coady Photography

Zef Lucky Seis was ridden to victory by jockey H. Hernandez. The win, his second straight and first stakes score, brought his lifetime earnings to $47,896. He picked up $20,970 for the victory by holding on in a thrilling head-bob finish.

Bred in Texas by Zeferino T. Garcia, Zef Lucky Seis is out of Zef Special Seis, by Tres Seis. The son of Here Is the Son was making his 22nd career start for owner/trainer Arturo Garcia,

Trained by Salvador Flores, runner-up Akiles was ridden by Noe Villatoro. The colt was game throughout, dueling early and narrowly missing the win by a nose in a final time of 18.083 seconds, also earning a speed index of 88. Akiles added $6,990 to his bankroll, boosting his total to $32,520. This was his second stakes final of the season, following a finalist finish in the Sam Houston 250 Stakes in June.

Akiles, a 3-year-old bay gelding by Glimpse of Greatness, was bred in Texas by his owner, Ricardo Mendoza. He is out of First Girl Ever, a daughter of Favorite Cartel.

Third-place finisher Jlc Simon Says Run was favored to win under jockey Cordarelton Benn. The 3-year-old sorrel filly by First Prize Stone made a valiant effort but had to settle for third after looming mid-race. Owned by Spur Racing LLC and trained by Jonathan Chavira, she finished in 18.146 seconds with a speed index of 86. Her career earnings now stand at $42,963 from 12 starts.

She was bred in Texas by John Louis Chamberlain out of Tennessee Totty, by Mr Eye Opener, and purchased for $5,000 at the 2023 TQHA Yearling Sale.

The remaining order of finish is Filly Gaga, Corona Tres Eagle, Jess Jj Watt Aw, Dm Special Hawk.

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