TUCSON, AZ—MARCH 4, 2017—Jess Ta Fied, a 5-year-old son of One Sweet Jess, broke the Rillito Park 300-yard track record on Saturday while posting the top qualifying time for the Piggin String Stakes—sponsored by Jack Daniels.

The eight-fastest qualifiers, from two trial races conducted on Saturday, will return to Rillito Park Saturday, March 18th to vie for the winner's share of a $20,000-est. purse. Ridden by jockey Emilo Tapia, Jess Ta Fied finished a neck in front of Jess Wilson in the game effort to complete the 300-yard course in :15.031 seconds, a 113-speed index, to secure a new track record.

The previous record of :15.040 seconds was set February 13, 2011 by Inkys Fireman.

Ron Ronquillo saddled Jess Ta Fied to his fourth career win from 12 starts for owner Cynthia Rodriguez. Bred in Oklahoma by Richard Joneson, from the Pure D Dash mare The Cheetah, Jess Ta Fied has earned nearly $18,000.

The aforementioned Jess Wilson, who earned a 111-speed index, held on to the second fastest clocking of :15.088 seconds. Tomas Moreno owns-and-trains the Feature Mr Jess gelding out of Chicksdashn by Chicks Beduino. Justine Klaiber was aboard. Don Wilson is the breeder.

Multiple stakes winner Closing Time rallied in the second trial to defeat Hezaregal Charmer by a neck while getting the third fastest time of :15.183 seconds, a 108-speed index.

Tomas Moreno conditions the Tr Dasher gelding for owner Jose Gallardo. Bred by Edward C. Allred, from the Raise A Secret mare Singles Scene, Closing Time has earned nearly $50,000.

For a complete list of Piggin String Stakes qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.