The Dulce Tacha, ridden by Manuel Americano, wins trial two and clocks the fastest qualifying time to the Mark Villa Maiden Stakes.

© Coady Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

PHOENIX, AZ–JANUARY 5, 2026–The fastest qualifiers for the $15,000-added Mark Villa Maiden Stakes were decided Monday afternoon at Turf Paradise, with the second division of trials producing the three quickest efforts at 300 yards ahead of the January 26 final.

Fastest qualifier honors went to The Dulce Tacha, who delivered a winning performance in the second trial to stop the clock in :15.489 while earning a 99 speed index. Ridden by Manuel Americano, the sorrel filly broke third, but seized at the first call, and held well through the wire to score by three-quarters of a length.

The effort marked her first career victory and came in her initial start of the three-year-old season after four outings as a juvenile. The Dulce Tacha is owned and bred by H and E Ranch, Inc. and trained by Matt Fales.

The daughter of 2025 leading first-year sire Dulce Sin Tacha is out of Theslatesclean by Corona Cocktail. From five career starts, she now owns one win, two seconds, no thirds, and earnings of $10,466.

Dead-heating for the second-fastest qualifying time at :15.597 were Tell Misty and Bobs Speedysaintjess, both exiting the same trial and each posting a 95 speed index.

Tell Misty finished a determined second under Jose Rodriguez after stumbling at the start and closing resolutely in the late stages. The filly is owned and trained by Alex Torres-Casas.

Bred in Oregon by Donald and Peggy Boyle, she is by Tell Cartel and out of Glimmer Mist by First Down Dash. Tell Misty remains a maiden after six career starts, having recorded one second and one third while earning $5,397.

Bobs Speedysaintjess also crossed the wire in :15.597, finishing in a dead heat for second while making a steady bid throughout the trial. The son of Jess Got Easier is owned by Michael McKell and trained by Sergio Canales, with Jesus Canales aboard. Bred in Idaho by R. L. Harrison, he is out of Sp Saint Patty by Saint Shackleton.

Although still winless from seven starts, Bobs Speedysaintjess has been a consistent performer, compiling four seconds and three thirds with earnings of $35,577. His resume includes multiple black-type placings during his freshman campaign, finishing second in the Idaho Cup Futurity and third in the Wyoming Downs Futurity.

The Mark Villa Maiden Stakes final will be contested on January 26 at Turf Paradise. CLICK HERE for the complete list of qualifiers.

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