Cowboys Flying and jockey Nestor Duran post the fastest qualifying time from nine trials for the $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity (G1) on July 2 at Retama Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX–JULY 2, 2026–Nine trials were held Thursday night at Retama Park for the $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1), and the evening belonged to champion sire Flying Cowboy 123. His offspring captured the top five qualifying positions for the July 25 final, while jockey Nestor Duran guided the three fastest qualifiers to victory.

Topping the qualifier list was Cowboys Flying, who dominated the seventh trial under Duran. Breaking in second, the gelding quickly seized command and drew away to a 2¾-length victory while posting the fastest time of the night, 17.795 seconds and a 97 speed index.

Trained by Ramiro Barajas Villarreal for Double J Racing, Cowboys Flying was bred by Dr. Tommy Hays and sold for $53,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale.

The brown gelding is by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the Carters Cartel mare Cartels Lady. His female family includes Speedhorse Futurity (G2) winner Hiclass Vodka ($224,670) and Las Damas Handicap (G2) winner Newport Fancy ($68,851).

Undefeated in three starts, Cowboys Flying entered the trials off a victory in the Texas Breeders Futurity and now boasts earnings of $252,746.

Second-fastest qualifier Whoopie Cowgirl also gave Duran and Villarreal a trial victory when she cruised to a 2¾-length score in the third trial. The filly led throughout and stopped the clock in 17.919 seconds while earning a 94 speed index.

Owned by Denis Moran and bred by Mark Rigby, DVM, the $35,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is another daughter of Flying Cowboy 123, out of the Tac It Like A Man mare Tacarosie.

Her female family traces to champion Tarzanito ($429,657). With the victory, Whoopie Cowgirl improved her record to 5-3-1-0 and increased her bankroll to $166,731.

Prior to the trials, she was a finalist in the Texas Breeders Futurity and a winner of the Louisiana Downs Futurity (G2).

Apollitical Cowboy completed Duran's sweep of the top three qualifiers with a dominant performance in the sixth trial. Despite stumbling at the start, the colt quickly recovered, took command and pulled away to win by 2½ lengths in 17.992 seconds, earning a 91 speed index.

The Isidro Hinojosa trainee races for Luis Armando Castellanos and Alfonso Rangel. Bred by JP Quarter Horses and purchased for $50,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale, Apollitical Cowboy is also by Flying Cowboy 123.

He is out of the High Rate Of Return mare Too Kool To Return, whose female family traces to world champion Whosleavingwho ($1,334,842).

The colt now owns a record of 5-2-2-0 with earnings of $148,801 after previously finishing second in the Texas Breeders Futurity and qualifying to the Louisiana Downs Futurity (G2).

The $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity (G1) final is scheduled for July 25 at Retama Park.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE.

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