Fast Flyer 123, under jockey Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr., posts the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 3, $275,200 Sam Houston Derby Thursday at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX—MAY 22, 2025—Fast Flyer 123 posted the fastest qualifying time during four trials held Thursday at Sam Houston Race Park, earning the top spot heading into the Grade 3, $275,200 Sam Houston Derby final set for June 14, 2025.

The trials, restricted to 3-year-olds at a distance of 400 yards, featured a strong cast of contenders.

Fast Flyer 123, a colt by leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Uptowne Babe by Mr Jess Perry, stopped the clock in :19.875 seconds, the swiftest of the evening. Owned by Triple Five and trained by Oscar Constancio, Jr., the Oklahoma-bred colt was ridden to victory by Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. Fast Flyer 123 was bred by Sam W Green.

Running in the final trial, Fast Flyer 123 edged out fellow qualifier Eagles Up by a half-length to secure the top time of the night.

Second-fastest qualifier honors went to Shez Flyn, a filly also sired by Flying Cowboy 123, who posted a time of :19.937 in her trial win. Out of Shez Exposed by FDD Dynasty, Shez Flyn is owned by Melchor Mendez and trained by Arturo Juarez Flores. She was bred in Texas by Paragon Farms LLC and piloted by Oliver E. Martinez.

Eagles Up, a colt by world champion sire One Famous Eagle out of U R Blue by Walk Thru Fire, recorded the third-fastest time of :19.962 seconds. Owned by Mario H. Vazquez in partnership with Jumonville Farms, the Louisiana-bred was saddled by Jose Sanchez and ridden by Luis L. Vivanco. Jumonville Farms bred Eagles Up.

Second-crop sire Chilitos is the only sire with three qualifiers: Celena Olena, Dr Pepper 123, and Chill To The Bone.

CLICK HERE for a list of Sam Houston Derby(G3) finalists, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

The ten fastest qualifiers from the trials return to compete in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby final on Saturday, June 14, with a purse of $275,200 on the line.

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