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SELMA, TX–JULY 27, 2024–35-1 Longshot Miracle B Knockout gets the upset in a photo finish over stablemate Dollar Bill and Choicez in the $215,650 1/ST BET Retama Park Derby on Saturday.

Nestor Duran, who qualified her in the trials, returned for the mount in the 350-yard finals. The duo broke sharply from the gates and led the field of ten wire-to-wire, clocking a 96 speed index in a quick :17.674 seconds against an 8 mph headwind. The major longshot paid $73.00 to win on a $2.00 wager.

"She felt happier today," commented Duran. "She broke on top out of the gates. I saw the seven (Choicez) beside me and thought she was about to get me. Then, Dollar Bill just came up on me at the wire, but we got it done."

Miracle B Knockout had three outs in her freshman campaign and did not win one of them. Then, in her first start in 2024 at Sam Houston, she broke her maiden. Tonight, she improved her race record to 2-2-2 from seven starts and her bankroll to $108,566 after cashing in the $86,260 winner's check.

Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. saddled Miracle B Knockout for owner Ruse Ranch, LLC. Five Puig Racing, LLC bred the daughter of Freighttrain B in Oklahoma. She is out of the Apollitical Jess stakes-placed winning mare, The Only Knockout, a full sister to AQHA champion As And Js. Miracle B Knockout is from the female family of All American Futurity [G1] winner Falling In Loveagain. Miracle B Knockout in a photo finish over

Dollar Bill, the second fastest qualifier, was favored to win, but after a bumped start, he placed second 1/2-length ahead of Choicez, the fastest qualifier from the trials.

Juan Diaz, Jr. saddled Victor Urieta, Jr. aboard Dollar Bill for owner Genesis Tovar. Breeders Tyler and Naia Graham sold the sorrel gelding out of Jakes Painted Wagon by Pyc Paint Your Wagon for $39,000 in the TQHA Yearling Sale.

Dollar Bill earned $43,130 for the second-place effort, boosting his career earnings to $624,857. The son of Kiss My Hocks has lit the board 12 of 13 starts with seven wins, including the TQHA Sale Futurity [G1] and Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes.

Arturo Alvarez piloted Choicez to his third-place finish, which paid $21,565. The daughter of One Famous Eagle has three wins from six starts and $53,655 in earnings. Bobby D. Cox bred the $45,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in Texas out of Paint Me A Sinner by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. Toby Keeton trained him.

Jaegar, Hock It Is, Fire Cowboy, Chasing Fdd, Imaginacion, Cowgurl Up and Famous Eye Glory complete the order of finish.

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ABOUT RETAMA PARK
Retama Park is a Class 1 pari-mutuel horse racetrack located in Selma, Texas, just 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio. Live Quarter Horse races occur each summer, while simulcast wagering and worldwide races are shown daily. Managed by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), Retama Park opened in 1995 and is hosting its 30th horse racing season this year. For more information and racing schedules, please visit www.RetamaPark.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.