Apolitical Time and Nine One Won battle stride for stride down the stretch before Apolitical Time edges ahead at the wire in a thrilling photo finish.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera/StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX-JULY 26, 2025–Apolitical Time surged to victory by a head in a thrilling finish Saturday night in the $205,300 Retama Park Derby presented by Torchtree Bourbon, outdueling stablemate Nine One Won in a race that left onlookers holding their breath.

The two stablemates—both trained by Raul Ramirez and owned by Jimenas Ranch—hit the wire together in a dramatic conclusion to the 400-yard event for 3-year-old Quarter Horses. The win was especially sweet for Apolitical Time, who was overlooked at the windows but delivered the biggest moment of his career with a final time of 20.151 seconds and a 96 speed index.

Nine One Won had the lead from the start and looked like the winner for most of the stretch, but Apolitical Time, under a perfectly timed ride from Esgar Ramirez, clawed his way to the front in the final jumps. The bay colt broke strongly from post 3 and stayed locked in a duel with his barnmate before inching ahead at the wire.

Apolitical Time's winning connections are all smiles after sweeping the top two spots in the $205,300 Retama Park Derby presented by Torchtree Bourbon. © Jack Coady Photography

The win was exciting for Esgar Ramirez, who had been sidelined for the past six months recovering from injury. “I always liked this horse,” he said. “I kept telling my brother, Raul, that Apolitical Time had something special. I wanted this ride and he didn’t let me down.”

Ridden by Raul Hernandez Jr., Nine One Won posted a final time of 20.161 seconds with the same 96 speed index. The two turned the tote board upside down—Apolitical Time went off at 18-1 and paid $24.60 to win while Nine One Won, at 11-1, returned $15.80 to place. The $2 exacta paid a generous $168.80.

For owner Emilio of Jimenas Ranch, the 1-2 finish was a moment of pure celebration. “We just came in and hoped to win,” Emilio said. “Thanks to Raul and Esgar, we pulled it off.”

It was a breakthrough moment for Apolitical Time, who began his 3-year-old campaign still a maiden. Bred in Oklahoma by Flag Ranch LLC, the son of Apollitical Jess was purchased for $87,000 at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. He is out of Breitling Time, by Fishers Dash.

After cashing in the $82,120 winner’s share of the purse, Apolitical Time has now earned $145,099 from 14 starts, with 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds. Earlier this year, he ran third in the Oklahoma Derby (G3), won a maiden race in April, and was sixth in the Heritage Place Derby (G2). Saturday’s win was his first stakes score—and easily his most impressive.

Nine One Won has been as consistent as they come. The sorrel gelding by Tempting Dash is out of Not My Choice, by Jody O Toole, and was bred in Texas by Cindi M. Keeton. With Saturday’s runner-up check of $41,060, his career earnings now total $151,818.

He previously placed third in the Heritage Place Derby (G2) and fifth in the Oklahoma Derby (G3), and was a Dash For Cash Juvenile finalist as a freshman. He now owns 5 wins, 3 seconds, and 6 thirds from 17 starts.

Dr Pepper 123, the fastest qualifier in the trials and a betting favorite, lost all chance at the break when pinched back, but showed grit to close late under Noe Villatoro for third. The chestnut gelding by Chilitos finished in 20.316 seconds for a 92 speed index.

Owned and bred by Mary Lou Zoeller and trained by J. Plunkett, he is out of My Glory Dash, by Shazooms Glory Dash. With $20,530 added to his earnings, his total now stands at $163,455 from 8 starts, including a Grade 3 win in the Sam Houston Derby earlier this summer.

The post-time favorite, Dk Marney Jess, came in with 10 wins from 14 starts and two Grade 2 titles, but after bumping at the start, she flattened out and finished fourth in 20.448 seconds. Rounding out the field were This Eagles Armed (5th), Who Wants Too Fancy (6th), Monty Cristo (7th), Texas Temper (8th), and Valiente Stone (9th). El Senador Tequila was scratched at the gate.

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