Jess Cartel Blue and jockey Gilberto Linares draw away late to capture the $52,000 Leon Bard Memorial Stakes Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–MAY 9, 2026–Jess Cartel Blue captured his first career stakes victory Saturday night with a strong gate-to-wire victory in the $52,000 Leon Bard Memorial Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

Breaking from the rail under jockey Gilberto Linares, the 3-year-old gelding dueled early before drawing away late to win the 350-yard event by one-half length over a muddy track. Jess Cartel Blue stopped the timer in 17.675 seconds for a 93 speed index while earning $31,200 from the purse.

The winning connections of Jess Cartel Blue accept the $52,000 Leon Bard Memorial Stakes trophy at Sam Houston on Saturday. © Jack Coady Photography

Trained by John Stinebaugh for owner Pete A. Scarmardo, Jess Cartel Blue improved his record to two wins from nine starts with earnings climbing to $92,782. The gelding entered the race off a juvenile campaign highlighted by a finalist effort in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity.

He was bred in Texas by his owner Pete Scarmardo out of Cartel Leader by Corona Cartel, Jess Cartel Blue returned $14.40 to win as the third wagering choice.

Feenom finished willingly for second after pressing the pace throughout under Luis Vivanco. Making his first start of the season, the sorrel colt earned his second black-type performance after previously running second in last year’s Gillespie County Fair Futurity and qualifying to the Evangeline Downs Futurity-G2 final.

Trained by Isidro Hinojosa for HEH Holdings LLC, Feenom has now earned $78,709 from 10 career starts with a 4-3-1 record. Bred in Texas by Debbie Eller, the son of This Is An Eagle is out of Zoomin N Celebrating by Azoom. Feenom was a $46,000 purchase at the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale.

Sign Of A Jet completed the trifecta after making a bid through the stretch under Gerardo Luna. The brown gelding was making his first stakes appearance and earned black type status with the effort.

Ricardo Aguirre saddled the son of The Fiscal Cliff for owner and breeder Rene Rios. Sign Of A Jet has now posted a 2-1-1 record from six starts with earnings of $23,100. He is out of Jaels Sign by Second Painted Sign.

Ym Flyin finished fourth, followed by Shot Of Takillya, Jet Outta Heere, Prize Time Lelo, and First Cash Boy. Margins were one-half length, one-half length and a neck.

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