Jockey Ali Riveria rode GJR Rooster to a dominating win in the $56,000 Benny Pennings Memorial Stakes on Friday at Retama Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX—JULY 25, 2025—GJR Rooster surged to a commanding victory in the $56,000 Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes(RG2) on Friday night at Retama Park, overpowering a field of Accredited Texas-bred Quarter Horses three years old and up at a distance of 870 yards.

The 4-year-old gelding seized the lead early from post position one and never looked back, coasting home under jockey Ali Rivera to win by 2¾ lengths in a final time of 45.955 seconds, earning a 95-speed index despite facing a ten-mile-per-hour headwind.

Trained by Zackary Stinebaugh, who also co-owns the horse along with Richard Young and Joe David Yates, GJR Rooster earned $33,600 for the victory. Bred in Texas by Gerald Rich, the bay gelding is by This Is an Eagle out of Granny Grump (TB), a daughter of A Little Illegal (TB).

The winning connections of CJR Rooster accept the Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes trophy on Friday at Retama Park. © Jack Coady Photography

“We had to monitor his speed at the turn,” said Stinebaugh after the race. “But we had the one hole, so that was nice. He wanted Ali to go to the lead early, and he did, so it worked out great.” Rivera added, “Like Zack said, he asked, and I delivered.”

It was the second win in 16 starts for GJR Rooster, who boosted his earnings to $88,574. He was purchased for $15,500 at the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale.

Finishing second was Big Daddy Dan, a gray 4-year-old gelding by Kiss My Hocks out of Ms Realitos (TB), by Dayjur (TB). Bred by Jones Alto Colorado Ranch LLC and owned by Alto Colorado Racing LLC, Big Daddy Dan was trained by Tammy Johnson and ridden by Victor Urieta, Jr.

He chased the winner gamely from the inside, stopping the clock to earn $11,200, boosting his total earnings to $50,368 after 10 career starts.

Veteran runner Eye Will Decide closed late along the rail to finish third, 2½ lengths behind the runner-up. The 7-year-old gelding, bred and owned by Bryon Gardner, is by Majestic Cartel out of Valiant Lil Lady by Valiant Hero.

Trained by Adan Guzman and ridden by Froylan Ramirez, Eye Will Decide took home $6,160 for the effort. The multiple stakes winner has won seven of 29 starts and earned $180,520.

GJR Rooster paid $6.80 to win, $3.80 to place, and $2.60 to show. Big Daddy Dan returned $4.20 to place and $2.60 to show, while Eye Will Decide paid $3.00 to show.

Following the top three finishers were Master Reigns in fourth, Determined fifth, Gladiator sixth, Rock Solid Stones seventh, and Dash Happens eighth.

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