Dash for Cash Championship Night Brings Nearly $675,000 in Stakes Action To Lone Star Park

Lone Star Park is preparing for an exciting Saturday evening of championship racing, with a 12-race card highlighted by the Grade 2 $455,310 Dash for Cash Futurity, the Grade 2 $168,400 Dash for Cash Derby, and the $50,590 Dash for Cash Juvenile Stakes. First post is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., as some of the region's top young Quarter Horses return to compete for championship honors.

The evening's main event, the Grade 2 $455,310 Dash for Cash Futurity, will close out the card in race 12. Ten talented 2-year-olds return from the September 19 trials, where they earned their spots in the prestigious final. The juveniles will compete at 400 yards, with post time set for approximately 10:51 p.m.

Jt Midlife Crisis headlines the field as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. The talented gelding has established himself as a strong contender, winning five of his six career starts and earning $110,098. In his most recent start, he captured his Dash for Cash trial by 1 ¼ lengths, posting the second-fastest qualifying time. Earlier this season, he secured a major stakes victory in the Grade 3 $85,000 Speedhorse Futurity at Fair Meadows in July.

After his Speedhorse Futurity victory, Jt Midlife Crisis was privately purchased by Cuadra Landrilleros, Ltd. Co. The Oklahoma-bred gelding, bred by Jeffrey Allen Tyer, is by Tell Cartel and out of the Real Visions mare Wranglers Vision. Trainer Marla Dayana Vargas will saddle the favorite from post four, with jockey Roman Cruz aboard.

The Grade 2 $168,400 Dash for Cash Derby will take center stage in race ten, bringing together ten accomplished 3-year-olds who qualified in the September 18 trials. The sophomores will race 440 yards, with an estimated post time of 9:59 p.m.

Royalist enters the Derby as the 9-5 morning-line favorite after an impressive season marked by consistency and success. The talented colt has finished no worse than second in six starts this year, with five victories, including the $181,000 Retama Park Derby. He also delivered a strong runner-up performance in the Grade 3 $234,000 Sam Houston Derby earlier this season.

Royalist continued his impressive form in the Dash for Cash trials, winning his heat by ¾ of a length and posting the third-fastest qualifying time. He will now look to add another major stakes victory to his growing record.

Owned by Hector Reina, who purchased him for $120,000 at the Los Alamitos Yearling Sale, Royalist was bred in California by Veronica Gail Kawananakoa. The son of Corona Cartel is out of the One Famous Eagle mare Zigfield Follies. Trainer Ben Olaveson will send the colt to the gate from post two, with jockey Luis Vivanco aboard.

The stakes action kicks off in race eight with the $50,590 Dash for Cash Juvenile Stakes. The 400-yard contest features ten 2-year-olds, with two additional horses listed as also eligible. The field comprises the fastest nonqualifiers from the Dash for Cash Futurity trials, giving these promising juveniles another chance to compete for stakes honors. Post time is scheduled for approximately 9:07 p.m.

Cowboys Love Wine leads the Juvenile field as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The consistent colt has finished first or second in all five of his career starts and enters the race after a determined performance in his Futurity trial. Despite breaking outward at the start, he rallied to capture a narrow nose victory in a photo finish.

The Texas homebred colt races for breeder and owner Pete A. Scarmardo. He is by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Time for Wine. Trainer John A. Stinebaugh will saddle Cowboys Love Wine from post five, with jockey Ali Rivera assigned to ride.

Saturday's Dash for Cash championship program marks the first major group of finalists to compete at Lone Star Park. With nearly $675,000 in combined stakes purses across the three featured races, the evening promises an exciting showcase of emerging talent, accomplished stakes winners, and promising young contenders seeking to make their mark on one of the season's biggest nights of racing.

The races at Lone Star Park can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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