Racing


Spott Edges Feenom in $182,600 Gillespie County Fair Futurity
Spott, under jockey Francisco Calderon, won the $182,600 Gillespie County Fair Futurity on Sunday.

© Jenny Barton
Spott Edges Feenom in $182,600 Gillespie County Fair Futurity

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

FREDERICKSBURG, TX—AUGUST 24, 2025—Spott, a brown gelding by This Is An Eagle out of Sams First Girl by Truley First Class, scored a thrilling victory in Sunday’s $182,600 Gillespie County Fair Futurity at Gillespie County Fairground.

Under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, Spott overcame a bump at the start and unleashed a powerful late surge to win by a neck, stopping the clock in 17.721 seconds for 350 yards and earning a 92 speed index. The race was contested on a fast track under cloudy skies with temperatures near 90 degrees and a crosswind of 5 mph.

Owned by Catarino Terrazas and Jesus Verduzco and trained by Jose Sanchez, Spott collected the winner’s share of $63,910 after scoring his second career win in six starts.

Tommy and Johanna Bullard bred the gelding in Texas. Terrazas purchased him for $20,000 at the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale and he has earned $77,170.

Finishing second was Feenom, a sorrel colt also by This Is An Eagle out of Zoomin N Celebrating by Azoom, who broke sharply and led early under jockey Luis L. Vivanco before being overtaken late. O

Owned by HEH Holdings LLC, trained by Isidro Hinojosa, and bred in Texas by Debbie Eller, Feenom earned $27,390 for his runner-up effort. A $46,000 purchase at the 2024 TQHA Sale, he crossed the wire in 17.758 seconds with a 91 speed index. The three-time winner has banked more than $59,000 in six starts.

Black And Sassie, a brown gelding by Jet Black Patriot out of Sassicaia by Big Daddy Cartel, closed strongly to finish third. Ridden by Manuel Benavides for trainer Manuel Roman, the New Mexico-bred gelding is owned by Hugo C. Sanchez and Elias Galindo and was bred by Taft Farms LLC.

Purchased for $7,500 at the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Black And Sassie earned $18,260 after finishing a neck behind Feenom in 17.906. Winless in five starts he has earned $23,560.

Pari-mutuel payoffs were $9.60 to win, $3.80 to place, and $3.60 to show on Spott. Feenom returned $3.20 to place and $3.20 to show, while Black And Sassie paid $7.80 to show.

The following three were Jc Corona Connection, Up And Good, Skye Ryder, Streakin Priscila, Ginger G 123, Ruseapolliticalrate, and Capital Hatters.

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