Texas Classic Derby and Oaks Trials Bring Top Sophomores To Lone Star Park For $577,000 In Stakes Finals

Lone Star Park will close out one of the biggest weekends of the 2026 Quarter Horse racing season on Saturday, October 31, when 73 three-year-olds compete in eight trial heats for the Grade 1 $334,000 Texas Classic Derby and the Grade 2 $243,000 Purina Feeds Texas Classic Oaks, with a combined $577,000 in final purses on the line.

Saturday's program includes three trials for the Texas Classic Oaks and five for the Texas Classic Derby. Only the ten fastest qualifiers from each event will advance to their respective finals on Saturday, November 21, as part of Texas Classic Night.

Shes Ec To Tempt Headlines Competitive Texas Classic Oaks Trials

A talented group of 29 sophomore fillies will compete in three 400-yard trials for the Grade 2 $243,000 Purina Feeds Texas Classic Oaks, scheduled as races four through six. The opening trial is set for approximately 7:23 p.m.

Riding a five-race winning streak, Shes Ec To Tempt enters the fifth race and the second Oaks trial as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. The daughter of Tempting Dash has put together an impressive sophomore campaign, highlighted by victories in the $36,000 G.C.F.A. Dutchman Stakes and the Grade 3 $100,000 TQHA Sires' Cup Derby.

With nine victories and one runner-up finish in ten career starts, Shes Ec To Tempt has earned $202,623 for owner K K Horse Racing.

Bred in Texas by Javier Garza, Shes Ec To Tempt is out of the Ec Jet One mare Kas Shes Ec. Trainer Jose A. Garcia will send Shes Ec To Tempt from post five, with jockey Francisco Calderon named to ride for the first time.

Another accomplished Grade 1 winner aiming to secure a place in the November 21 final is Apollirevenge, the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the sixth race, the final Oaks trial.

The daughter of A Revenant has made two starts this season, finishing in the money both times, including a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 $75,000 Easy Date Stakes.

Apollirevenge's most notable accomplishment came during the juvenile campaign, a dead-heat victory in the Grade 1 $1.161 million Heritage Place Futurity.

Apollirevenge has been preparing for a return to competition, including a gate breeze on October 10 at Lone Star Park ahead of Saturday's trials.

Bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto, Apollirevenge is out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apollititaka. Trainer Kash Reed will saddle Apollirevenge from the inside post, with Francisco Calderon named to ride.

With multiple stakes performers entered in the three trials, the Oaks promises a competitive battle for the ten coveted qualifying spots.

Defending Texas Classic Futurity Champion Holy Guacamolee Returns Among Derby Standouts

The Grade 1 $334,000 Texas Classic Derby brings together 44 sophomore colts and geldings for five 440-yard trials, run as races eight through twelve. The opening Derby trial is scheduled for approximately 8:41 p.m.

Among the leading contenders is Heza Hawkeye, the 8-5 morning-line favorite in race eight, the first Derby trial.

The Texas-bred gelding arrives from Indiana after a productive sophomore campaign, which includes a win in the $124,000 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby and a runner-up finish in the $75,000 Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby.

Heza Hawkeye has recorded one win and three second-place finishes in four starts this season, bringing career earnings to $230,949 for owner R Chavez Racing, LLC, which purchased the gelding for just $8,500 at the TQHA Yearling Sale.

Heza Hawkeye, a son of Hawkeye out of the Azoom mare Sheza Bugsy, was bred in Texas by Torres Buildings. Trainer Sebastian Gonzales will send Heza Hawkeye from post one with jockey Jesus Olivas aboard.

Another leading Derby contender, Royalist, enters the tenth race and third trial as the 8-5 morning-line favorite after four consecutive victories.

The son of the Corona Cartel has established a strong sophomore record, most recently capturing the Grade 2 $168,000 Dash For Cash Derby at Lone Star Park.

The winning streak also includes the $181,000 Retama Park Derby and its corresponding trial. Earlier this season, Royalist finished second in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby.

With six career victories and earnings totaling $247,829, Royalist is owned by Hector Reina, who purchased the California-bred colt for $120,000 at the Los Alamitos Yearling Sale.

Bred by Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, Royalist is out of the One Famous Eagle mare Zigfield Follies. Trainer Ben Olaveson will saddle Royalist from post two, with jockey Luis L. Vivanco named to ride.

Adding further depth to the Derby trials is the dual-registered colt Jc Speeding, entered in race eleven and the fourth qualifying heat.

However, one of the evening's most anticipated appearances will be in the twelfth and final race, when defending Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity Champion Holy Guacamolee returns to Lone Star Park in pursuit of another Texas Classic title.

The son of Chilitos captured the prestigious Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity in 2025 and has been preparing for Saturday's assignment with a series of workouts at the Grand Prairie oval.

Holy Guacamolee shipped into Lone Star Park for a workout in late September, then returned for an easy breeze in mid-October, setting the stage for an attempt to qualify for the Derby final.

Bred in Texas by Jorge Haddad, Holy Guacamolee is out of the Oak Tree Special mare So Into You and races for owner Madison Dunn.

Trainer Kash Reed will saddle Holy Guacamolee from post four, with jockey Juan Pulido taking the reins in pursuit of a qualifying time and a return to Texas Classic Night.

With established Grade 1 winners, rising-stakes performers, and several proven Derby contenders spread across five trials, Saturday's competition is expected to be one of the most competitive qualifying programs of the Lone Star Park meet.

Only ten of the 44 Derby hopefuls will earn a spot in the $334,000 final, and ten fillies will advance from the Oaks trials.

The qualifiers will return on Saturday, November 21, when Lone Star Park hosts Texas Classic Night, bringing together the season's leading contenders for one of the premier evenings of Quarter Horse racing in Texas.

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

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