Five additional undercard stakes will join the Texas Summer Showdown Series on Friday night at Retama Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX–JULY 21, 2025–Retama Park will host a stakes-packed edition of the Texas Summer Showdown Series on Friday night, with first post set for 6:15 p.m.

Among the evening’s highlights are five undercard stakes—each offering competitive fields of Accredited Texas-breds and TQHA sale graduates—all leading up to the featured Race 8, the restricted Grade 3 TQHA 550 Stakes.  In addition, the restricted Grade 2 Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes and the TQHA Classic will cap off the night's card (see related stories).

TQHA Sale Sophomore Stakes – Race 4
Purse: $50,000  • Distance: 400 yards • Approx. Post: 7:36 p.m.

A full field of 3-year-olds who passed through the 2023 TQHA Yearling Sale lines up in the $50,000 TQHA Sale Sophomore Stakes, with recent rivals Fabulous Casina (4-1) and Celebratingtheeagle (3-1) meeting again after a thrilling finish in last month’s La Villita Stakes. Fabulous Casina prevailed by a head that evening, while Celebratingtheeagle has hit the board in all three 2025 starts, including a close third in the Old South Derby.

The Leaders an Eagle (5-1) ran third in the Silver Bullet Stakes and has won two of his last four. Longshot value may come from Enshilada (10-1), who surged late to win a Houston allowance in June, or Apollitical Lelo (12-1), a lightly raced colt who impressed in a maiden score at Retama.

Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes – Race 5
Purse: $30,000  • Distance: 350 yards •Approx. Post: 8:03 p.m.

Undefeated in four starts since a March claim, Jlc Simon Says Run (5-2) enters the Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes as the one to beat, having dominated recent starter-level contests at Remington and Fair Meadows. The 3-year-old filly faces a deep group of older and seasoned Texas-breds, including Imma Sweet Diva (7-2), who captured consecutive allowance events at Sam Houston.

Akiles (4-1) finished second to Goodtime in Texas (4-1) two starts ago and brings solid recent figures. Proprietor (9-2) was a sharp claiming winner earlier this month, and Filly Gaga (8-1) has hit the board in both 2025 starts. Veteran sprinters like Jess Jj Watt Aw (10-1), Reckless Prize (30-1), and Corona Tres Eagle (15-1) also add depth to the 12-horse field.

TQHA 250 Stakes – Race 6
Purse: $50,000  • Distance: 250 yards • Approx. Post: 8:30 p.m.

A stakes sprint filled with early zip and recent stakes winners, the TQHA 250 Stakes is headlined by Ima Chili (5-2), who has reeled off wins in the Silver Bullet and Sam Houston 250 Stakes. The 3-year-old gelding is unbeaten at the distance and continues to improve with each start.

Cc Valiant (7-2) has been second in consecutive high-level Louisiana stakes, including the Old South Derby. Goodtime in Texas (4-1), a three-time winner this season, narrowly missed to Ima Chili last out. You Look Famous (5-1), a multiple stakes-placed mare, returns to her best distance after competing at 350 and 400 yards. Also in the mix are Jj Jessa Dynasty (12-1), Jess Louisiana Girl (12-1), and Embers Time (10-1), a past winner of the JNB Buchanan Stakes.

Miss Retama Stakes – Race 7
Purse: $50,000  • Distance: 400 yards • Approx. Post: 8:57 p.m.

The Miss Retama Stakes for Texas-bred fillies and mares features a wide-open affair led by Cowgurl Up (9-2), who finished a strong third in the Sam Houston 250 and captured back-to-back wins earlier this season. Magic Apollitical (8-1), a futurity finalist last year, is looking to bounce back from a tough outing at Remington in May.

Other contenders include Trixiee (8-1), with multiple stakes placings to her name, and First Time for Wine (5-2), who has held her own in open stakes competition.

TQHA 550 Stakes(RG3) – Race 8
Purse: $50,000  • Distance: 550 yards • Approx. Post: 9:24 p.m

Veteran router Onthrocks (3-1) returns to defend his crown in the Grade III TQHA 550 Stakes, fresh off a driving win in the Sam Houston 550 Stakes and a solid third in the Gary Baber Memorial. The 6-year-old gelding is a 7-time winner at the distance and boasts 3 wins from 5 starts over the Retama strip.

Trainer Kie Mushinski sends out Dm Preacher Man (4-1), who ran a close second to Onthrocks in June and has hit the board in 5 of 9 starts at this trip. Lz King of the Kings (9-2), a consistent router, was third in the Sam Houston 550 and owns a win at 550 from Evangeline.

Jess Rite (6-1) rallied for fourth in the Gary Baber and owns three wins locally, while Thrill and Fury (8-1) has won twice at this distance and exits a fourth-place finish in the 870-yard San Marcos. Improving 3-year-old Daybreak N Dash (10-1) steps into stakes company after a maiden win going 870 yards.

Rounding out the field are Jess Regard (12-1), Captain Tlc Aw (20-1), setting up a competitive and deep renewal of this traditional Texas router showcase.

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