Ima Chili Dominated the TPHBA Juvenile At Lone Star Park On Thursday

GRANDE PRAIRIE, TX–SEPTEMBER 26, 2024–Ima Chili defeated post-time favorite Soy Toxico by 1 1/2-lengths on Thursday evening in the $11,150 Texas Paint Horse Breeders' Association Juvenile (not black type) at Lone Star Park.

Piloted by Oscar Andrade, Ima Chili took the lead at first call and dominated the field to the wire, clocking a 95 speed index in 16.720 seconds. The 330-yard victory paid $6.80 to win on 2-1 odds.

It was a photo finish for place and show between Soy Toxico, ridden by Luis Vivanco, and Cowboy Heartbreak, with Nestor Duran in the irons. Soy Toxico won the nod by a nose for second.

The $6,132 payday increased Ima Chili's lifetime earnings to $25,527 and improved his race record to 2 wins and three third from five starts. The son of #5 leading first-year-sire Chilitos placed third in the Colors of Houston Futurity [G2] and Colors of the Wind P&A Futurity.

Trainer Zackery Rios saddled the bay gelding for owner Darrell Hooper.

Sarah Huskey bred Ima Chili in Texas out of the Executive Menace mare Im Not Hillary, who is a half-sister to the grandam of champion runner/producer Spit Curl Diva. Ima Chili is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Tacky Lil Groundhog.

Trainer Jose Sanchez conditioned runner-up Soy Toxico for owner Gilbert Pacheco, III. He has lit the board three of five starts with one win and $17,667 in the bank.

Bred by Crown Horse Racing, LLC, Soy Toxico is also sired by Chilitos out of Carreras Dash by Tempting Dash.

Third-place finisher Cowboy Heartbreak has two wins from seven starts and earned $13,422 for owner-breeder Sandra Garnett. Zackery Rios trains the Texas-bred colt sired by Boknaii. His dam is Camo Cowgirl by Awesome Chrome.

Painted Diva, Fast N Loose, Lota Trick Plays, If I Was A Cowboy, Vp Wired To Win, Moonpike and One Famous Roberto round out the order of finish.