JT Midlife Crisis Tops Texas Classic Futurity Trials; Cowboys Flying Remains Unbeaten

Multiple graded stakes winner Jt Midlife Crisis delivered the fastest qualifying time for the $1,000,000 Texas Classic Futurity (G1) on Friday night at Lone Star Park, leading 10 finalists from 15 trials contested at 400 yards. The Grade 1 final is scheduled for Saturday, November 21.

The Oklahoma-bred gelding stopped the clock in :19.398, earning a 101 speed index while dominating the 14th race on the program by 2-1/4 lengths. His performance edged undefeated All American Futurity (G1) winner Cowboys Flying, who posted the second-fastest qualifying time of :19.445.

Jt Midlife Crisis, a 2-year-old son of third-crop sire Tell Cartel out of Wranglers Vision, by Real Visions, broke sharply from the inside post under jockey Roman Cruz and quickly established command. He led by 1-1/2 lengths early, extended his advantage to 2-1/2 lengths during the race, and cruised home ahead of Ruse Man Crystal, with Revenant Mark finishing third.

Owned by Cuadra Ladrilleros, Ltd. Co., Jt Midlife Crisis was bred in Oklahoma by Jeffrey Allen Tyer and is trained by Jose Hernandez-Martinez.

The sorrel gelding entered Friday's trials with an impressive record that now stands at seven victories from eight career starts and earnings of $298,222. His previous accomplishments include victories in the Dash For Cash Futurity (G2) and Speedhorse Futurity (G3), along with a finalist appearance in the Easy Jet Stakes (G2).

His latest performance positions him as the fastest qualifier for one of the richest Quarter Horse futurities of the fall season.

Cowboys Flying, already a millionaire and the nation's leading 2-year-old, kept his perfect record intact with another commanding performance in the sixth trial.

Ridden by Nestor Duran, the brown gelding stumbled at the break but quickly recovered to take control. He opened a 1-1/2-length advantage early, widened his lead, and finished 2-1/2 lengths ahead of Dangerous Leigh, stopping the clock in :19.445 for a 99 speed index. Bv So Long finished third.

The victory extended Cowboys Flying's unbeaten record to seven wins from seven starts, with career earnings of $2,068,793.

Trained by Marco Adair Chavez-Gutierrez for Double J Racing, Cowboys Flying is a Texas-bred son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Cartels Lady, by Carters Cartel. He was bred by Dr. Tommy Hays and purchased for $53,000 at the 2025 TQHA Yearling Sale.

Cowboys Flying has already established himself among the nation's elite juveniles with victories in the All American Futurity (G1), TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1), and Texas Breeders' Futurity.

His qualifying effort sets up a highly anticipated meeting with Jt Midlife Crisis in the November 21 final, matching two accomplished graded stakes winners who have combined for 14 victories from 15 career starts.

Jc Canelo secured the third-fastest qualifying position with a determined victory in the third trial, covering the 400 yards in :19.633 for a 94 speed index.

The gray gelding engaged Fearless Cowboy in a prolonged duel before prevailing by a head in a photo finish. Fearless Cowboy, who had held a narrow advantage during the race, finished second in :19.646, while Candy in My Arms was another neck back in third at :19.695. All three advanced to the championship final.

Jc Canelo is a Texas-bred son of champion sire Apollitical Blood out of Tf Fearless Runaway, by Sir Runaway Dash. Owned by Denis I. Moran, he was bred by Jaime Cardenas and is trained by Arnold G. Herrera. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. was aboard for Friday's victory.

The gelding was offered at the 2025 TQHA Yearling Sale, where he was listed as a $70,000 RNA.

Jc Canelo improved his career record to four victories from eight starts, with one third-place finish and earnings of $68,918. His previous accomplishments include a victory in the Dash For Cash Juvenile, a fourth-place finish in the Texas Breeders' Futurity, and a finalist appearance in the Louisiana Downs Futurity (G2).

The third trial proved particularly competitive, producing three of the 10 fastest qualifiers for the championship final.

Just one-thousandth of a second separated the fourth- and fifth-fastest qualifiers. Expensive Toro, a son of A Revenant, won the fifth trial by 1-1/4 lengths in :19.634, while Fearless Cowboy, another son of Flying Cowboy 123, qualified fifth in :19.646 after finishing second to Jc Canelo.

Other finalists include Candy in My Arms (:19.695), Mister Sinatra (:19.697), Limites Sin B (:19.706), Pyc Dollars Cowboy (:19.732), and La Golden Eagle (:19.740).

The final field features several prominent young stallions, including Flying Cowboy 123, who is represented by Cowboys Flying, Fearless Cowboy, and Pyc Dollars Cowboy, while leading first-crop sire Golden Boi has two qualifiers in Limites Sin B and La Golden Eagle.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Lone Star Park on Saturday, November 21, to compete in the $1,000,000 Texas Classic Futurity (G1).

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

A $50,000 est. Texas Classic Juvenile will also be contested on November 21 for the second 10 fastest qualifiers from Friday's trials, providing an additional stakes opportunity for juveniles who narrowly missed qualifying for the Grade 1 championship. CLICK HERE for those horses.

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