Kj Born To Be Wild, under jockey Justine Klaiber, set the fastest qualifying time from three trials contested for the 281,505 Texas Classic Derby (G1) at Lone Star Park Saturday night.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—OCTOBER 25, 2025—Three trials held Saturday evening at Lone Star Park determined the finalists for the prestigious Grade 1, $281,505 Texas Classic Derby.

The 440-yard trials for 3-year-olds were contested over a muddy, sealed track under cloudy skies. Three standout performances led the list of 10 qualifiers for the November 15 final.

KJ Born To Be Wild, a Grade 1-placed gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of KJ Mustang Sally by Valiant Hero, posted the fastest qualifying time of 21.325 seconds while winning the second trial under jockey Justine Klaiber.

Trained by Wesley Giles for owners John and Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares, the Arizona-bred gelding was bred by the same connections. KJ Born To Be Wild quickly recovered despite stumbling at the start and held off a strong field to secure the top spot on the qualifying list.

Holt Pete (#8) gets up over City Of Blood (#6) as the pair post the second and fastest time in the opening trial.
© Dustin Orona Photography

The winner of five of 12 starts has earned $221,000. He was third in the Grade 1 All American Derby on Labor Day and a finalist in the Ruidoso QH Derby(G1) and last year's Texas Classic Futurity(G1).

The second-fastest time came from Holy Pete, a bay gelding by leading sire Favorite Cartel out of Suze Returns by High Rate Of Return, who stopped the clock in 21.345 while rallying late to win the first trial.

Champion jockey Francisco Calderon rode the John Stinebaugh trainee for owner Zane Kiehne. Bred in Texas by Bobby Simmons, Holy Pete displayed a powerful closing kick to win by a neck in the muddy conditions.

Winner of the Ruidoso Invitational Stakes earlier this year, Holy Pete has seven wins in 13 career starts. Also a finalist in the Grade 1 All American Derby he has banked $173,207.

City Of Blood rounded out the top three qualifiers. It was the third-fastest qualifier, with 21.381 in Trial 1, just behind Holy Pete (21.345).

The Oklahoma-bred gelding, by champion sire Apollitical Blood and out of Send City by Tres Seis, is a homebred owned by Dunn Ranch and trained by Jed Vane. Jockey Juan Pulido had the riding call aboard the three-quarter brother to two-time Champion of Champions(G1) winner Apollitical Pence.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Saturday’s three trials will return to Lone Star Park on Saturday, November 15, to contest the $281,505 Texas Classic Derby (G1) at 440 yards.

The final will highlight one of Texas's richest Quarter Horse racing programs, featuring the region’s top 3-year-old runners vying for Grade 1 honors.

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

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.