I B A Big Girl was the fastest qualifier in the TQHA Sale Futurity-RG1 set to run in conjunction with the Retama Derby and TQHA Sale Juvenile on Saturday July 26.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX–JULY 17, 2025–The $614,485 TQHA Sale Futurity-RG1 and $205,300 Retama Derby will run Saturday, July 26, at Retama Park in Selma, Texas. The two lucrative finals will immediately follow the 2025 TQHA Yearling Sale, which is held July 25–26 at Freeman Exposition Hall in San Antonio, Texas.

I B A Big Girl Sets Time To Beat In The $614,485 TQHA Sale Futurity-RG1

Following eleven competitive trials run at Retama Park on Saturday, July 12—rescheduled from their original date due to inclement weather—the ten fastest 2-year-olds who passed through the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale will return for the restricted Grade 1 $614,485 TQHA Sale Futurity final on Saturday, July 26

The 350-yard final is one of the richest and most anticipated races of the Retama Park meet for juveniles.

Setting the bar in the trials was I B A Big Girl, a gray filly by New Mexico sire Big Daddy Cartel, who stopped the clock in 18.004 seconds to secure the fastest qualifying time. She is out of I B Jessie Jane by Jesse James Jr.

Trainer John A. Stinebaugh saddled the Texas-bred filly for owners/breeders Shane and Barbee Beer. Gilberto Linares was aboard for the trial win in the second heat, where I B A Big Girl drove clear to a one-length victory over a strong field.

A $70,000 repurchase at the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale, I B A Big Girl has won two of four starts and banked $16,781.

The second-fastest qualifier, Eagle On A June Bug, posted an impressive time of 18.024 in the opening trial of the evening. The sorrel gelding by multiple stakes sire Eagles Fly Higher races for Sergio Jimenez and Enrique Santollo and is conditioned by Victor Oviedo. After dueling early, H. Javier Hernandez guided the gelding to a strong driving finish.

A $20,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate, Eagle On A June Bug has won two of three starts and banked $67,916 after finishing second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity in March. He was bred in Texas by Robert T. Moudy III out of Sandy June Bug by Blushing Bug.

Completing the top three fastest times is $17,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate Brother Gaga, who lit up the board at long odds in the eleventh and final trial with a game effort of 18.068 seconds. The sorrel gelding is by This Is An Eagle, out of Papa Larrys Girl by Papa Larry.

Bred in Texas by Billy Dan Dodd and owned by Alfredo Cantu, Brother Gaga is trained by Jorge Luis Muniz and was ridden by Alejandro Ochoa. The gelding dueled throughout before digging in gamely to hold off late challengers and break his maiden in his third career start.

CLICK HERE for the complete list of qualifiers for the $614,485 TQHA Sale Futurity-RG1 finals. The second 10 fastest qualifiers will also return on Saturday, July 26, to compete in the $50,000 TQHA Sale Juvenile. For a list of those horses, CLICK HERE.

Dr Pepper 123 Fastest on Opening Night of Retama Park Derby Trials

Dr Pepper 123 is the fastest qualifier to the Retama Derby. © Jack Coady Photography

Retama Park will also host the $205,300 Retama Park Derby, presented by Torchtree Bourbon, on Saturday, July 26. The Derby trials were held on July 2, the same weekend the Sale Futurity trials were scheduled initially before weather delays.

Leading the way was Dr Pepper 123, who clocked the fastest time of the night at 19.861, with a 104 speed index over a muddy racetrack. The gelding by Chilitos, out of My Glory Dash by Shazooms Glory Dash, is owned and bred by Mary Lou Zoeller of Texas. Trained by J.W. Plunkett and ridden by Noe Villatoro, Dr Pepper 123 scored by half a length after a sharp break and sustained drive.

Dr Pepper 123 came into the trials off a win in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby on June 14. He has won four of seven starts and earned $142,925.

El Senador Tequila recorded the second-fastest time in the trial, finishing behind Dr Pepper 123 with a clocking of 19.924 seconds. The son of Fly Thru The Fire is out of Remember The Cartel, by Corona Cartel. He was bred in California by Steve D. Burns, DVM, and currently races for owner Joe Ruiz Jr. Trainer Santiago Riojas Jr. called upon Luis Angel Flores-Garcia for the mount.

Dk Marney Jess posted the third-fastest time of 19.934 to qualify. The multiple graded stakes-winning filly by Apollitical Jess, out of Marney Jo by Corona Cartel, is owned by CH Horse Racing, LLC, and trained by Patrick L. Clemons. Nestor Duran rode her to a smooth and determined effort.

A winner of 9 of 12 starts, including the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity, Dk Marney Jess has banked over $570,000. She entered the trials off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Heritage Place Oaks on May 31.

CLICK HERE for the complete list of qualifiers for the $205,300 Retama Park Derby final.

The remaining 2025 Retama Park Quarter Horse stakes schedule, including finals and trials dates, is listed below. More details on the schedule of racing dates, post times, and promotions can be found on www.RetamaPark.com.

RETAMA PARK REMAINING STAKES SCHEDULE
7/25/25 - Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes-G3 - $50,000a
7/25/25 - Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes - $30,000a
7/25/25 - Miss Retama Stakes - $50,000a
7/25/25 - TQHA 250 Stakes - $50,000a
7/25/25 - TQHA Classic Stakes-G3 - $60,000a
7/25/25 - TQHA 550 Stakes-G3 - $50,000a
7/25/25 - TQHA Sale Sophomore Stakes - $50,000a
7/26/25 - Retama Park Derby - $100,000a
7/26/25 - TQHA Sale Futurity-G1 - $200,000a
8/15/25 - AQHA Racing Championship Challenge-G3 - $50,000a
8/16/25 - Colors of the Alamo Paint and Appaloosa Futurity - $40,000a
8/16/25 - Colors of the Wind Paint and Appaloosa Maturity - $20,000a
8/16/25 - Sires' Cup Derby - $50,000a
8/16/25 - Sires' Cup Futurity-G2 - $75,000a

RETAMA PARK UPCOMING STAKES TRIALS SCHEDULE
7/24/25 - AQHA Racing Championship Challenge Trials
7/31/25 - Colors of the Alamo Paint & Appaloosa Futurity Trials
8/1/25 - Sires' Cup Futurity Trials
8/2/25 Sires' Cup Derby Trials

Retama Park offers something for everyone. © Jack Coady Photography

Retama Park has introduced several new events for its 2025 promotions, including Thursday night “Military Appreciation Nights” where Military personnel (active and veterans) receive free admission, and Friday night “Live/Local Bands.” Upcoming fan favorites include the Summer Showdown on July 25, the Diamond Dig presented by Americus Diamonds on August 8, Wiener Dog Races and Family Fun Night on August 16.

Horsemen and racing enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to secure their reserved seats. General Admission, Reserved Grandstand seats, Clubhouse Box Seats, and Terrace Dining reservations can be made online at tickets.retamapark.com or by visiting retamapark.com under the Events & Tickets section. General admission is $5.00. Selma residents and kids five and under are free.

ABOUT RETAMA PARK
Retama Park is a Class 1 pari-mutuel horse racetrack located in Selma, Texas, just 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio. Live Quarter Horse races take place each summer (June 26 to August 16 – 2025), while simulcast wagering and races from around the world are shown daily. Managed by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), Retama Park opened in 1995 and is hosting its 30th season of horse racing in 2025. For more information and racing schedules, please visit www.RetamaPark.com follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube.