Just Dulce, under jockey Christian Ramos, won the $281,505 Texas Classic Derby (G1) on Saturday night at Lone Star Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 15, 2025—Just Dulce proved unyielding in a dramatic finish to capture the $281,505 Texas Classic Derby (G1) on Saturday night at Lone Star Park, covering the 440 yards in 21.296 seconds, earning a 99 speed index, and battling into a 6 mph headwind on a fast track.

The sorrel colt secured the winner’s share of $125,270 for the Just Dulce Partnership. He completed a Lone Star Park derby double after winning the Grade 2 Dash For Cash Derby on October 4.

Just Dulce, a 3-year-old sorrel colt by Jess Good Candy out of Prissy Sin Tacha, by Tempting Dash, broke sharply under jockey Christian Ramos and held gamely to the wire to withstand a late charge.

Bred in Texas by Bob and Jerry Gaston, he is trained by Marc Jungers and was a $385,000 purchase at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. His determined head victory capped a season of steady improvement and showcased his toughness at classic derby distance.

The winning connections of Just Dulce accept the Texas Classic Derby stakes trophy at Lone Star Park Saturday night. © Dustin Orona Photography

Also a finalist in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity at 2, the full brother to leading first-crop sire champion Dulce Sin Tacha has won five of nine starts and more than doubled his earnings to nearly $239,736.

Fastest qualifier Kj Born To Be Wild, a 3-year-old sorrel gelding by Apollitical Jess out of Kj Mustang Sally, by Valiant Hero, surged powerfully late but came up a nose short of the winner.

Owned and bred by John & Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares, the Arizona-bred is trained by Wesley Giles. With jockey Justine Klaiber aboard, he earned $61,931 for his runner-up effort after breaking outward and finishing with a furious rally.

Third in the All American Derby (G1) on Labor Day, Kj Born To Be Wild has earned $283,387.

Holy Pete, a 3-year-old bay gelding by Favorite Cartel out of Suze Returns, by High Rate of Return, completed the trifecta a nose back. Bred in Texas by Bobby Simmons, he is trained by John Stinebaugh for owner Zane Kiehne.

Ridden by Francisco Calderon, the 2023 $100,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate earned $30,966 while maintaining a steady, determined bid throughout, but was unable to make up ground late. Winner of the Ruidoso Invitational and a finalist in the All American Derby he has banked $204,173 in 14 starts.

Just Dulce paid $11.20 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3.00 to show. Kj Born to Be Wild returned $3.20 place and $2.60 show, and Holy Pete paid $3.20 show.

Hovland, Dr Pepper 123, Curls Magic Wagon, Nine One Won, Beach Fire, Big Bang Rocket completed the field.
 

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