Francisco Calderon guides Baby Ruth to victory in the $59,875-added TQHA 250 Stakes on Friday at Retama Park.

© Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX—JULY 24, 2026—Francisco Calderon recorded his second stakes victory of the night aboard Baby Ruth, who held off a late challenge to capture the $59,875 TQHA 250 Stakes Friday at Retama Park.

Breaking sharply from the rail, Baby Ruth dueled throughout before prevailing by a neck while covering 250 yards in :13.306 and earning a 102 speed index over a fast track.

Trained by Marc Jungers for owner Mi Serenity, the 4-year-old filly was bred in Texas by Bobby Simmons. The $40,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate is sired by champion Jess Good Candy and out of the winning Corona Cartel mare Jess A Cartel.

Winning connections of Baby Ruth. © Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

She is a half sister to graded stakes winner Memphis D Nasty ($143,173), while her female family traces to APHA Champion Dos Poruno ($48,623). Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Selma Stakes, Baby Ruth improved her record to 19-7-4-0.

The $35,925 winner's share of the purse increased her career earnings to $172,496. She also finished second earlier this year in the Grade 2 Decketta Stakes and was runner-up in last year's Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby.

Asked about the winning effort, Calderon credited Baby Ruth's quick start.

"She ran good, she broke super and that's kind of her thing. When she breaks in front, she's hard to beat and she proved it today."

Trainer Marc Jungers echoed those sentiments.

"If she broke like she did, we thought we had a shot. We're very excited, very blessed."

Fabulous Casina finished second under H. Hernandez for owner Dee Tiller and trainer Brittany Tellez. Bred by Bobby Myers, the 4-year-old filly is a $14,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate.

She is sired by One Fabulous Eagle and out of the stakes-winning PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Bm Casina Royale. Her female family traces to champion Elliptical ($333,807).

Coming off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Selma Stakes, she now owns a record of 17-5-3-5 with earnings of $157,839. Earlier this year she won the Sam Houston 250 Stakes after capturing last year's TQHA Sale Sophomore Stakes and La Villita Stakes.

Sheza A Whirlawaytoo finished third under J.R. Ramirez Jr. for owner Ann Albin and trainer Eddie Taylor. Bred by Buckskin EC Inc., the 3-year-old filly is sired by Whirlaway Red and out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Lil Miss Party Doll.

Coming off a runner-up finish in the Old South Derby, she now has a record of 11-1-4-2 with earnings of $43,035.

Ima Chili finished fourth and was followed by Killin Time, Jj Jessa Dynasty, Jess Louisiana Girl, Defives, Chieftainess, and Shot of Takillya. Lucky Larry was scratched.

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