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GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 5, 2024–Champion Kiss My Hocks, the #2 Leading 2-year-old Sire in North America, sired the 1-2-3 finishers in the $432,990 Grade 2 Dash For Cash Futurity at Lone Star Park Saturday night.

The super consistent Kiss My Maruska finally got his Graded stakes victory after jockey Victor Urieta, Jr. rode the Kiss My Hocks colt to a half-length win over Hocksareback. Joose Boxx finished a head back to take third place.

"About 150 yards down the track, I thought there was an opening. The horse responded well, and with the opening, he had a chance to win," Urieta said in the winner's circle.

Kiss My Maruska broke in and bumped at the start but quickly recovered to complete the 400 yards in 19.334 seconds, equaling a 105-speed index. Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr., who qualified half the field in the September 14 trials also saddled the winner for owner Heave Hitters Racing Stables.

"He had a good gate. All of the horses were good that qualified, they each had their own opportunity, and his was being in the nine hole," Diaz said. "When that hole opened up for him Victor took advantage for sure."

"They are most definitely celebrating in Pecos Texas," Marcos Galvan of Heavy Hitters Racing Stables said in the winner's circle. "When we get back home tomorrow, we will celebrate a little more. "

Bred in Texas by Tyler and Naia Graham, from the Favorite Cartel mare Ms Highmaitenance, Kiss My Maruska has won four of eight career starts. He has finished second in the Louisiana Downs Futurity(G2), TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1), and third in the Heritage Place Futurity(G1).

"It's not easy; we've had adversity getting here, and one of the things to success is perseverance. We've got a good team behind us and I have faith in all of them. From the guys who break the horses, to our jockey, to our trainer, and to the partners who are involved," Galvan said.

The $88,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate used the $173,195 Dash For Chas winner's purse to boost his bankroll to $523,808.

Trainer Toby Keeton named jockey Luis Vivanco to ride runner-up Hocksareback for his wife and owner Cindi Keeton. Up early, the sorrel gelding was caught at the wire and settled for a second-place payday worth $73,608.

Bob and Sissie McClure bred the $65,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate in Texas from the Splash Bac mare Thebabeisback. Also second in the Grade Sam Houston Futurity last June, Hocksareback has earned $219,230.

Multiple graded stakes winner Joose Boxx was carried out under jockey Bryan Candanosa and earned $43,299 for third. Also from the Diaz Stable, the Kiss My Hocks gelding races for owner Javier De Los Santos Muzquiz. Earlier this year, the $100,000 TQHA Yearling Sale repurchase won the Oklahoma Futurity(G1) and the TQHA Sale Futurity(RG2).

Bred in Texas by Gerry Lynn Sigman and Diane Tatum, from the Big Daddy Cartel mare Cd Daddys Home, Joose Boxx was also fourth in the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity,. He has earned $605,027.

Dk Marney Jess, Machiavelli, Corona In Fire, Lady D, Bv Hello Goodbye, Marfalous, and Coco Ravin completed the field.

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About Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is a major league sports entertainment attraction that features two exciting racing seasons annually. Over 700,000 guests visit our beautiful facility each year, which features a seven-level glass-enclosed Grandstand, highlighted by our 1,200-seat Silks Dining Room and 48 luxurious Penthouse Suites, all overlooking the newest race track in Texas. Situated next to our Grandstand is the 36,000-square-foot world-class Las Vegas-style racebook and simulcast facility, Bar & Book, which features wagering on horse racing from around the world seven days a week year.

The 2024 Fall Meeting of Champions, featuring American Quarter Horses, runs September 6 through November 16. Live racing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. (CT); the first post is at 6:05 p.m. Breeders' Cup Saturday, November 5. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., the first live race is at 6:05 p.m.