Racing


Rosario Tijeras Holds On Gamely To Win $40,500 Karen Utecht Memorial Stakes
Rosario Tijeras, under jockey Eddie Sanchez, won the $40,500 Karen Utecht Memorial Stakes on Saturday night at Lone Star Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography
Rosario Tijeras Holds On Gamely To Win $40,500 Karen Utecht Memorial Stakes

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—OCTOBER 18, 2025—Rosario Tijeras displayed early speed and grit in the stretch to capture the $40,500 Karen Utecht Memorial Stakes on Saturday night at Lone Star Park, holding off a fast-closing rival to prevail by a head at the finish.

Under jockey Eddie Sanchez, the 3-year-old filly covered the 350-yard distance in :17.507 seconds over a muddy (sealed) track with a 4-mph headwind, earning a 98 speed index. The victory was worth $15,390 to owner and breeder Sarah Huskey.

Trained by Esteban Rubio, the Texas-bred daughter of Boknaai out of Tres Miracles, by View Me Flying, broke alertly from the gate and refused to yield late to secure the narrow win in a determined performance.

V Golden Game (OK) finished a game second after a powerful late surge just missed catching the winner. Ridden by Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. and trained by Raul Rodriguez Jr., the gelding earned $6,885 for owner Oscar Rivera Cardona.

The Oklahoma-bred son of CRM Livewire out of Game Hi, by Game Patriot, was bred by Aubrey L. Garcia and turned in another consistent effort that showed his late-running style to full effect.

Frenchy (TX) closed strongly to finish third, another neck behind the top two. The Texas-bred gelding was ridden by Oliver E. Martinez for trainer and owner Juan Armando Martinez.

Bred by Scott or Lindsey Pruett, Frenchy is a son of CRM Livewire out of CRP Coco, by This Snow Is Royal, and earned $3,240 for his solid showing after rallying late but running out of ground in the final strides.

Rosario Tijeras returned $18.20 to win, $5.80 to place, and $3.80 to show. V Golden Game paid $5.00 to place and $3.60 to show, while Frenchy returned $3.80 to show.

Valiant Spit Curl, Flyin Chilitos, Fancy A Miracle, Moonpike, GG Queen of the South, and Crb Beauti completed the order of finish. Cowboy Heartbreak stumbled badly at the break and lost the rider.

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