Turbulent, under jockey Roman Cruz, posted the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 1 $50,000-added Texas Hero Paint & Appaloosa Futurity at Lone Star Park Friday night.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—OCTOBER 17, 2025—Turbulent, a two-time futurity winning daughter of world champion Painted Turnpike, posted the fastest qualifying time from three trials contested Friday at Lone Star Park for the Grade 1, $50,000-added Texas Hero Paint & Appaloosa Futurity.

Ten 2-year-olds will advance to the 400-yard final on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Ridden by Roman Cruz for trainer Dee Keener, Turbulent broke sharply and led every step in the final trial, stopping the timer in 19.769 seconds over a fast track with an 8 mph headwind.

The Oklahoma-bred filly races for 918 Bloodstock and was bred by Alexia Willis. Sired by multiple stakes sire Painted Turnpike and out of Turbulence by SF Royal Quick Flash, Turbulent drew clear by a half-length to secure the top qualifying spot.

The sorrel filly has won five of 10 career starts this year and banked $123,768. Turbulent won the Speedhorse Graham Paint and Appaloosa Futurity (G1) and the Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity (G1) at Remington Park last Spring.

Finishing second in that same heat as Turbulent and qualifying second overall was Chile Piquin, who clocked 19.859 seconds under jockey Oliver E. Martinez.

The Texas-bred double-registered filly, by leading second crop sire Chilitos and out of An American Cartel by Corona Cartel, is trained by Zackery N. Rios for Chile Piquin Partnership and was bred by Omar Paredes (TX).

Chile Piquin sold for $20,000 at the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale. Despite being bumped at the start, she held gamely for second, earning a strong 90 speed index. Fourth in the Colors Of Houston Futurity-G2 in June, she has earned $9,011 in four APHA starts.

The third-fastest qualifier came from the opening trial, where Old Habits New Tricks, also conditioned by Dee Keener, prevailed after a hard-fought duel to the wire.

The Oklahoma-bred gelding by first-crop Quarter Horse sire San Lorenzo out of Expressions N Snow by Sm Country Snowman won by a head under Mario Delgado, stopping the clock in 19.873 seconds for owners 918 Bloodstock.

The breeder is Sharon Hafliger, and the gelding showed grit late to out-finished Set On Cruise. A winner of four of 10 starts and second in the Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity (G1), Old Habits New Tricks has earned $68,555.

The remaining seven fastest qualifiers from the three trials will join these top three in the Grade 1 $50,000-added Texas Hero Paint & Appaloosa Futurity Final on November 8 at Lone Star Park, where Paint and Appaloosa racing’s brightest 2-year-old stars will compete for top honors at 400 yards.

CLICK HERE for a complete list with times, breeding lines, and connections.

The second 10 fastest qualifiers from tonight's trials are preferred invites for the $20,000-Guaranteed Texas Hero Paint & Appaloosa Juvenile that will also run back on Saturday, November 8. For a list of those horses, CLICK HERE.

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The Grade 1 Texas Hero Paint & Appaloosa Futurity honors the late Texas Hero, one of Paint racing history's most influential runners and sires. The 1991 bay tobiano stallion by Raise A Jet out of Breakaway Baby earned over $100,000 on the track and became the breed’s all-time leading money earner of his era. A multiple stakes winner, Texas Hero’s legacy endures through generations of champions who continue to shape the Paint racing landscape today. He was bred and owned by H. T. and Kay “Penny” Sistrunk of Gainesville, Texas.

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