Choicez Sets The Time To Beat In The $215,650 Retama Park Derby [G3] Trials

SELMA, TX–JULY 3, 2024–Trainer Toby Keeton and jockey Luis Vivanco team up to qualify four finalists from a group of 32 sophomores to the $215,650 Retama Park Derby [G3] on Wednesday, including the fastest qualifier, Choicez. The finals will run on Saturday, July 27.

Choicez dueled to the wire against a 15 mph headwind with Dollar Bill, crossing the wire first by a head in :17.820 seconds.

Choicez set the time to beat in :17.820 seconds for a 92 speed index. Favored to win, Dollar Bill, ridden by Victor Urieta Jr, clocked a 91 speed index for the second fastest time in :17.835 seconds. The 350-yard upset over the post-time favorite paid $13.00 to win on 5/1 odds.

The lightly raced filly has three wins from five starts, and the $6,000 earnings from trial four increased her bankroll to $32,920. Bobby D. Cox bred Choicez in Texas out of Paint Me A Sinner by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. Hector Reina owns the $45,000 Ruidoso Sale graduate sired by One Famous Eagle.

Trainer Juan Diaz Jr saddled Dollar Bill and two other finalists in the derby trials. The son of Kiss My Hocks has seven career wins with $581,727 in the bank, including The TQHA Sale Futurity [G1], Louisiana Downs Futurity [G2], and Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes from last year. He placed second in the Heritage Place Derby [G2] last month and third in the Texas Classic Futurity [G1] in 2023.

Breeders Tyler and Naia Graham sold Dollar Bill for $39,000 in the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale. The Genesis Tovar-owned gelding is out of Jakess Painted Wagon by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Jaeger, who was part of the Keeton/Vivanco team, scored a length victory over Miracle B Knockout in trial #1, setting the third-fastest qualifying time. The son of Apollitical Jess clocked a 91 speed index in :17.843 seconds against a 16 mph headwind. The 350-yard victory paid $6.20 to win on 2/1 odds.

Jaegar attempted to break his maiden from four starts in his freshman campaign but couldn't get it done. This year, the Oklahoma-bred-colt has two wins and three seconds from five starts, including runner-up in the Sam Houston Derby [G3] last month and Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic in March.

The $6,000 winner's share from the trial victory boosts his career earnings to $99,058 for owner Guerras Racing Stables. Five Puig Racing, LLC bred Jaegar out of the Tres Seis mare Adolph Tres Knockout.

Keeton trained Choicez, Jaegar, Cowgurl Up and Famous Eye Glory, while Diaz conditioned Dollar Bill, Miracle B Knockout and Fire Cowboy.

CLICK HERE for complete details on the $215,650 Retama Park Derby [G3] trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey.