Eagle On A June Bug Leads Texas Classic Derby Qualifiers With 104 Speed Index

Grade 2 Sam Houston Derby winner Eagle On A June Bug turned in the fastest qualifying performance Saturday night at Lone Star Park, stopping the clock in 21.157 for 440 yards to lead 10 finalists into the $334,000 Texas Classic Derby (G1) on November 21.

The three-year-old gelding posted a 104 speed index while defeating Aj Cyclone by three-quarters of a length in the second of five trials. The impressive performance highlighted an evening in which the three fastest qualifiers all emerged from the same trial, contested as the ninth race on the program.

Eagle On A June Bug, the 7-10 favorite, broke sharply from post five and quickly established command. Although drifting outward during the race, he maintained a clear advantage and drew away to secure the fastest qualifying time.

Ridden by H. Javier Hernandez for trainer Sebastian Gonzales, the Texas-bred gelding races for Sergio Jimenez and Enrique Santollo. Bred by Robert T. Moudy III, Eagle On A June Bug is by Eagles Fly Higher out of Sandy June Bug, by Blushing Bug.

A $20,000 graduate of the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale, Eagle On A June Bug has compiled six wins and three seconds from 12 career starts, earning $372,326. In addition to his Sam Houston Derby (G2) victory, he finished second in the Louisiana Downs Futurity (G2) and TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1). He was also a finalist in the Texas Classic Futurity, All American Gold Cup (G1), and Eastex Stakes (G2).

Aj Cyclone secured the second-fastest qualifying time of :21.269 after finishing three-quarters of a length behind Eagle On A June Bug in the ninth race. The Apollitical Jess gelding overcame contact at the start and finished strongly under jockey Juan Pulido, earning his place in the November 21 championship.

Owned by Dennis Dreier and trained by Kash Reed, Aj Cyclone was bred in Oklahoma by Rancho El Cabresto Inc. He is out of Feature Jess Rockin, by Feature Mr Jess, and was purchased for $100,000 at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Point Blank Range, winner of the Heritage Place Derby (G2), completed the three fastest qualifiers after finishing third in the same trial in :21.339. The gelding finished a half-length behind Aj Cyclone and 1 1/4 lengths behind Eagle On A June Bug.

Ridden by Roman Cruz for trainer Dee Keener, Point Blank Range broke outward but recovered to race prominently before settling for third. The son of Tell Cartel is out of Fannie Blankers, by Bodacious Dash.

Owned by 918 Bloodstock, Point Blank Range was bred in Oklahoma by J. Garvan Kelly and J. Lloyd Yother. He was a $40,000 purchase at the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The accomplished gelding has won five of nine career starts, with one second and one third, while earning $194,033. In addition to capturing the Heritage Place Derby (G2), he was a finalist in the Rainbow Derby (G1) and All American Invitational Stakes.

The fourth-fastest qualifier, Rf Runaway Cowboy, captured the opening trial, race eight, in :21.421. The Flying Cowboy 123 gelding drew away late to defeat Hes No Politician by 1 1/4 lengths.

Owned by Victor Jordan and trained by Marc Jungers, Rf Runaway Cowboy was ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr. The Louisiana-bred gelding is out of Rf Runaway Duck, by Sir Runaway Dash, and was bred by Rogers Farm, Tim and Jennie Rogers.

A $80,000 graduate of the 2024 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, Rf Runaway Cowboy has earned $279,318 from 14 starts, recording four wins, four seconds and two thirds. His previous accomplishments include runner-up honors in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1), a third-place finish in the Dash For Cash Derby (G2), and a finalist appearance in the Ruidoso Derby (G1).

The remaining trial winners also secured berths in the championship. Seven Summers Ago won the 11th race in :21.462, Royalist captured the 10th in :21.498, and Cyber Blues closed the evening with a :21.524 victory in the 12th race.

Seven Summers Ago, a Kiss My Hocks gelding owned by Dennis Dreier and trained by Kash Reed, defeated Inflation by three-quarters of a length. Royalist, a Corona Cartel colt owned by Hector Reina and trained by Ben Olaveson, also scored by three-quarters of a length. Cyber Blues, a Cyber Monday gelding owned by Rancho El 48 LLC and trained by James J. Gonzales II, drew away by 1 1/4 lengths.

The 10 fastest qualifiers advancing to the November 21 final are Eagle On A June Bug (:21.157), Aj Cyclone (:21.269), Point Blank Range (:21.339), Rf Runaway Cowboy (:21.421), Seven Summers Ago (:21.462), Royalist (:21.498), Eagles Diamond (:21.509), Cyber Blues (:21.524), Whos the V (:21.531), and Inflation (:21.578).

The $334,000 Texas Classic Derby (G1) will be contested at 440 yards on Saturday, November 21, at Lone Star Park.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, and jockeys.

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