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GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 15, 2025—Just Dulce proved unyielding in a dramatic finish to capture the $281,505 Texas Classic Derby (G1) on Saturday night at Lone Star Park, covering the 440 yards in 21.296 seconds, earning a 99 speed index, and battling into a 6 mph headwind on a fast track.

The sorrel colt secured the winner’s share of $125,270 for the Just Dulce Partnership. He completed a Lone Star Park derby double after winning the Grade 2 Dash For Cash Derby on October 4.

Just Dulce, a 3-year-old sorrel colt by Jess Good Candy out of Prissy Sin Tacha, by Tempting Dash, broke sharply under jockey Christian Ramos and held gamely to the wire to withstand a late charge.

Bred in Texas by Bob and Jerry Gaston, he is trained by Marc Jungers and was a $385,000 purchase at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. His determined head victory capped a season of steady improvement and showcased his toughness at classic derby distance.

Also a finalist in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity at 2, the full brother to leading first-crop sire champion Dulce Sin Tacha has won five of nine starts and more than doubled his earnings to nearly $239,736.

Fastest qualifier Kj Born To Be Wild, a 3-year-old sorrel gelding by Apollitical Jess out of Kj Mustang Sally, by Valiant Hero, surged powerfully late but came up a nose short of the winner.

Owned and bred by John & Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares, the Arizona-bred is trained by Wesley Giles. With jockey Justine Klaiber aboard, he earned $61,931 for his runner-up effort after breaking outward and finishing with a furious rally.

Third in the All American Derby (G1) on Labor Day, Kj Born To Be Wild has earned $283,387.

Holy Pete, a 3-year-old bay gelding by Favorite Cartel out of Suze Returns, by High Rate of Return, completed the trifecta a nose back. Bred in Texas by Bobby Simmons, he is trained by John Stinebaugh for owner Zane Kiehne.

Ridden by Francisco Calderon, the 2023 $100,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate earned $30,966 while maintaining a steady, determined bid throughout, but was unable to make up ground late. Winner of the Ruidoso Invitational and a finalist in the All American Derby he has banked $204,173 in 14 starts.

Just Dulce paid $11.20 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3.00 to show. Kj Born to Be Wild returned $3.20 place and $2.60 show, and Holy Pete paid $3.20 show.

Hovland, Dr Pepper 123, Curls Magic Wagon, Nine One Won, Beach Fire, Big Bang Rocket completed the field.

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